Texas Baptist Men volunteers are responding to needs after a series of tornados touched down in West Texas on May 18. In Abilene, area TBM volunteers have cleared debris from 55 homes.  So far, crews in Abilene have donated more than 1,100 volunteer hours, completing 54 chainsaw jobs, logging 41 heavy equipment hours and installing temporary roofs on four homes. In San Angelo, a TBM emergency food-service crew provided 1,200 meals for families in shelters. Meanwhile, TBM disaster relief volunteers from around the state continue to work in Longview, removing downed pine trees from the homes of residents after 90 mph straight line winds hit the area on May 8. TBM chainsaw crews, heavy equipment operators and others have donated more than 5,300 volunteer hours in the community. To date, the volunteers have completed more than 70 chainsaw jobs, logged 270 heavy equipment hours, made 800 personal contacts and distributed more than 50 Bibles. To contribute financially, send a check designated “disaster relief” to Texas Baptist Men, 5351 Catron, Dallas, TX 75227, call (214) 275-1116 or click here.

East Texas Baptist University celebrated the 2019 National Police Week by hosting its annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon. ETBU presented a certificate of appreciation to Harrison County Sheriff Tom McCool, Marshall Police Department Chief Cliff Carruth and Texas Department of Public Safety Cpl. Kevin Arnold. The university also distributed to each attending officer a travel mug inscribed with the ETBU logo and Matthew 5:9, which reads, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” At the event, ETBU President Blair Blackburn announced the university would donate $5,000 to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department to purchase enough tourniquets to have one available for every deputy. The Marshall Police Department had received a federal grant to purchase 50 tourniquets and used two of them to save the life of Zachary Lastra, an officer injured on duty. However, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department did not have any of the life-saving devices. Deputy Dwight Mays said he prayed God would provide a way for his department to secure them. At the ETBU event, he was seated at a table with Carruth and Blackburn, who were discussing the injured officer and how access to the tourniquets saved his life. Blackburn asked Mays if the sheriff’s department also had tourniquets available, and he learned the department lacked funding to secure them. Blackburn subsequently announced that ETBU would provide the necessary funds. “I have never had a prayer request answered that quickly,” Mays said.

Wayland Baptist University trustees recently voted to change the name of the university’s School of Religion and Philosophy to the School of Christian Studies. The name change, along with a redesign of curriculum, reflect the school’s desire to offer the type of education that ministry students are seeking, Dean Stephen Stookey said. The School of Christian Ministry will offer a Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies degree that prepares students for service in the church or careers that are outside traditional vocational ministry, as well as a Bachelor of Christian Ministry degree aimed at students who will serve smaller congregations and/or serve in bivocational ministry. In February, Wayland announced an accelerated program that allows students to earn both a Bachelor of Christian Ministry degree and a Master of Divinity degree in as little as five years. The School of Christian Studies also will offer accelerated Bachelor of Christian Ministry degree programs that lead to a Master of Divinity/Master of Business Administration degree, offered jointly with Wayland’s School of Business; a Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree; and a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry degree. For more information, call (806) 291-1165 or by email stookeys@wbu.edu.

The Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing, an intercollegiate consortium of Hardin-Simmons University and McMurry University, named Donalyn Alexander as dean, effective June 1. Most recently, Alexander was associate dean and associate professor at the Shelton School of Nursing. Previously, she was director of education and professional development at Hendrick Medical Center. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, her Master of Science in Nursing degree from the Shelton School and her doctorate from Oklahoma City University.

At spring commencement ceremonies, Dallas Baptist University awarded honorary doctorates to Raquel Contreras, general director of the Spanish Baptist Publishing House in El Paso; Shirley Hoogstra, president of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities; and Roberto Silvado, president of the Brazilian Baptist Convention and senior pastor of Bacacheri Baptist Church in Curitiba, Brazil.

The Center for First-generation Student Success named Baylor University to its inaugural cohort of First Forward institutions. The designation recognizes institutions of higher education that demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students. Baylor’s First in Line program is an on-campus support unit that provides scholarships, directed programming, mentoring and a network of faculty and staff to assist first-generation student success.

East Texas Baptist University will host its 24^th annual tribute to Sam B. Hall Jr., the late congressman and U.S. District Court judge, at 7 p.m. May 27 at the historic Harrison County Courthouse Square in downtown Marshall. The Sam B. Hall Memorial Celebration: A Patriotic Concert is a free event that will feature patriotic live music performed by the East Texas Symphonic Band and a salute to those who gave their lives in U.S. military service.

Anniversaries

130^th for Elliott Baptist Church in Hearne. A homecoming celebration is scheduled June 9. After Sunday school at 10 a.m., the 11 a.m. worship service will include a sermon by guest preacher Harold Cook, former director of missions for FIRM Baptist Area. A program featuring congregational singing and special music is scheduled at 1 p.m. Dale Wells is pastor.

70^th for Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio. A luncheon is scheduled June 22 for founding members, charter members and individuals who have been members of Trinity Baptist more than 60 years. A barbecue dinner is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on June 22 in the dining room and gym at Trinity Baptist. Tickets for the barbecue are $7 each and can be purchased online here. An anniversary celebration featuring videos, music, memories and special recognitions is scheduled after the dinner from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Mulberry Sanctuary. A joint worship service is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on June 23. Pastor Leslie Hollon will speak.

50^th for Toby Irwin in the ministry. He is pastor of Belmore Baptist Church in San Angelo.

Retirement

Lee Fuller after 43 years in pastoral ministry and seven years as pastor of River Oaks Baptist Church in River Oaks, effective Aug. 25.

Dallas Baptist University recently hosted the annual spring reunion of Decatur Baptist College. Founded in 1898, Decatur Baptist College relocated to Dallas in 1965, where it became Dallas Baptist College until achieving university status in 1985. At a luncheon during the reunion, DBU presented the Decatur Distinguished Service Award to Mila Wilson Smith and the Decatur Honorary Alumnus Award to Martin Woodruff, mayor of Decatur.

Former Baylor Bears Head Football Coach Grant Teaff and retired missionary/evangelist Isaac Torres will receive Texas Baptists’ Legacy Awards for lifelong Christian service. Texas Baptists will present the awards June 2 at the historical Independence Baptist Church, near Brenham. Teaff was head football coach at Baylor 21 years, leading the Bears to Southwest Conference championships in 1974 and 1980. Teaff was executive director of the American Football Coaches Association 22 years, and he was named executive director emeritus in 2016. Teaff, a nationally known Christian motivational speaker, is the author of six books. He is a deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Waco. Torres—hailed as “Mr. Evangelism” by friends and colleagues—served seven years as a missionary in Mexico City, and he was a church planter and pastor in Australia. He was instrumental in helping to establish Texas Baptists’ missions partnerships with Baptists in Mexico, Australia and Venezuela. During his extensive international travel, he led revivals, conferences and Experiencing God weekends. At age 92, he continues to serve as an assistant pastor of a church in Benavidez. He and his wife of 71 years, Norma, live in Kingsville. The Texas Baptist Legacy Awards will be presented during a 10 a.m. worship service at Independence Baptist Church. Lunch will follow. To make meal reservations, contact Becky Brown at becky.brown@texasbaptists.org or call 214-828-5301.

The Singing Men of North Central Texas completed a mission trip to Hungary and Romania. Combined attendance for 10 concerts was 8,800. Following an evangelistic message at each location by Michael Gott, 3,903 individuals registered commitments to Christ. Trent Blackley, minister of music at First Baptist Church in Rockwall, conducted the Singing Men in the absence of his father, Don Blackley, worship leader for the classic worship service at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, who was hospitalized.

Howard Payne University’s Social Work Advisory Board recently presented its Spirit of Social Work Award to Michele King Doud. The award is presented annually to an individual whose career reflects an outstanding contribution to the social work profession or to the field of human services in general. Doud graduated from HPU in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in social work. After graduation, she began work at Brownwood Regional Medical Center, where she served 20 years. She also spent six years in home health, one year at a Brownwood-area nursing home and 11 years at Solaris Hospice. She now serves as a social worker in Kaufman.

At spring commencement, East Texas Baptist University presented the President’s Award to Reid Adams, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training. ETBU presents the President’s Award to the student who is considered the best representation of a Christian leader, scholar and servant. Adams received the American Southwest Conference East Division Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year as a freshman on the ETBU tennis team, led a Bible study for the tennis team, served as student body president, was involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and was a resident assistant for two years and a mentor in a freshman dorm. He is a member of New Beginnings Baptist Church and volunteers at Hallsville Elementary School. ETBU conferred an honorary doctorate on Ben G. Raimer, a 1969 alum who has held numerous positions at the University of Texas Medical Branch over the past three decades and who serves as president of the Texas Pediatric Association. Sandy Hoover, chair of the ETBU department of history and political science, received the Professor of Distinction Award. Hoover is pastor of Athey Baptist Church in Harleton and president of the ETBU Faculty Senate. The university also presented honorary Bachelor of Science degrees to the families of Darrian Anthony McClintock Jr. and Norvontre LaShawn Harrison, both members of the ETBU Tigers football team who drowned April 28, 2016.

The T.B. Maston Foundation will honor Emmanuel McCall, a noted pastor/educator/civil rights leader and former vice president of Baptist World Alliance, at an Oct. 4 award dinner at Dallas Baptist University. Featured speaker is Daniel Carro, professor at the John Leland Center for Theological Studies. Individual tickets are $60, and sponsorships are available at varied levels to support scholarships, retreats and lectures in Christian ethics sponsored by the T.B. Maston Foundation. To register, call (214) 228-3518 or email joyce.kokel@gmail.com.

East Texas Baptist University hosted alumni, donors and friends of the university at the grand opening of the ETBU School of Nursing at the Marshall Grand in downtown Marshall on May 4. The event included facility tours, recognition of donors and a dedication ceremony. Jerry and Judy Cargill, along with Richard and Christina Anderson, donated the historic eight-story building—formerly the Hotel Marshall—to ETBU in 2013. ETBU raised $3 million to continue the renovations the Cargills and Andersons started. The university received significant contributions from the Andersen Foundation, the Moody Foundation, the Meadows Foundation, and the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation. The campaign to relocate the School of Nursing also garnered support from the Rosa May Griffin Foundation, the T. J. and LaVerne Plunkett Foundation, and the Wece and Martha Johnson Foundation, along with many individual donors and the Marshall Economic Development Corporation.

Sara Diaz of Midland is the initial recipient of the Hispanic Christian Leadership Scholarship offered by Wayland Baptist University. She is the daughter of Lazaro Diaz and Eva Rangel, both Wayland graduates. In the fall, she will begin her studies at Wayland, where she plans to earn a degree in sociology and hopes to put it to use helping victims of human trafficking. For information about the scholarship, click here.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor named Michele Hackney as dean of the Scott & White School of Nursing. She served as interim dean during this academic year and previously as associate dean. She has been on the UMHB faculty nine years. Hackney holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University with a specialization in nursing education and earned a doctorate in education from UMHB.  She also holds certification as a nurse educator from the National League for Nursing.

Howard Payne University has opened registration for its Young Scholars and Summer Scholars day camps for children. The camps are scheduled July 15-19 from 9 a.m. to noon each day. In the Young Scholars program, designed for children entering first through third grades, campers will receive instruction in music, robotics, science and recreation. In the Summer Scholars program, students entering fourth through sixth grades will study robotics, 3D printing, science and recreation. The camps will be held in HPU’s Winebrenner Memorial Hall of Science. Program participants will also have supervised access to HPU’s wellness center and other campus locations. Cost is $110 per student. To register online, click here.  For more information, call (325) 649-8508 or e-mail jwelker@hputx.edu.

The Faith and Sport Institute at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary is accepting applications for its second annual retreat, June 16-22. The institute seeks to train and equip high school athletes physically, emotionally and spiritually to help cultivate greatness in sports and in life, Program Director Cindy White explained. To apply, click here.

Houston Baptist University is accepting applicants for the inaugural class of two new graduate degrees within its School of Fine Arts. The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is for students who wish to pursue poetry or fiction, and the Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting is designed to prepare students to write for film, television, video games and emerging digital media. For more information on how to apply, click here.

Retirement

George Loutherback will retire at the end of the semester after 22 years as chaplain at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Previously, he served 14 years as director of the Baptist Student Union at Baylor University.

Texas Baptist Men disaster relief volunteers completed work in the aftermath of tornadoes that hit Franklin and Alto, donating more than 10,000 volunteer hours. Collectively, the teams prepared more than 3,000 meals, purified 2,183 gallons of water, distributed more than 1,400 boxes, completed 100 chainsaw jobs and logged more than 400 heavy equipment hours. They made more than 800 personal contacts, distributed 98 Bibles and recorded nine professions of faith in Christ.

Mary Lou Retton, the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics, delivered the 2019 McLane Lecture at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. In the final two rounds of competition at the 1984 Summer Olympics, Retton earned perfect 10-point scores on both her floor exercise and vault. “I wasn’t supposed to be there, and I certainly wasn’t supposed to do that,” Retton told the UMHB crowd, emphasizing the importance of hard work, dedication and sacrifice. She recalled sustaining a catastrophic knee injury that required immediate surgery five weeks prior to the Olympics. “To say the least, the doctors were not optimistic about my chances. … It was at that moment, I felt a surge in my stomach, and I know it was the Holy Spirit,” Retton said. “He was blessing me and telling me, ‘You can do this.’” Retton told the UMHB audience: “Don’t let other people put limitations on you. Taking those risks and meeting those challenges head-on is sometimes the only way to make your dreams come true.”

East Texas Baptist University named John Sargent as the 2019 J. Ward Walker Award recipient. Sargent, dean of ETBU’s School of Education and professor of teacher education, presented the J. Ward Walker Lecture on April 24. Walker was vice president for spiritual life at ETBU in the 1990s, and recipients of the award named in his memory are selected based on their exemplary and consistent engagement of faith with scholarship, teaching or administrative service.

Five graduating seniors from Howard Payne University’s Guy D. Newman Honors Academy were recognized during the recent Sumners Scholars Banquet. The students, who were selected as Hatton W. Sumners Foundation Scholars during their junior year, each received a plaque and a copy of The Wisdom of Hatton W. Sumners and The Sumners Foundation Scholarships. Honored for completing four semesters as Sumners Scholars were Joel Justice of Brownwood, Augusta Johnson of Gatesville, Emma Reed of Fort Worth, Jessica Catlett of Allyton and Tyler Olin of Howe. The Sumners Scholar program offers students the opportunity to attend special lectures, seminars and conferences featuring leaders from both public and private sectors. It also provides a $7,500 per semester scholarship for two years.

Dallas Baptist University hosted the 31^st annual Norvell Slater Hymn Sing in Pilgrim Chapel. The event followed the DBU Grandparents’ Day luncheon, and it featured the Master’s Singers from First Baptist Church in Arlington. The event is named for the longtime host of the “Hymns We Love” Sunday morning radio program, heard for more than four decades in North Texas.

Baylor Law School dedicated the Charles E. Wallace Family Courtyard at the Sheila and Walter Umphrey Law Center today in the memory of Waco lawyer Charles “Chuck” Wallace. The Wallace Family Courtyard was named in appreciation for a $2 million gift from Sherri W. and Robert “Bobby” L. Patton Jr. of Fort Worth in memory of her father and in honor of her mother, Sandra Stoesser Wallace. In addition to enhancements to the courtyard, the gift helps underwrite the legal writing and pro bono programs within Baylor Law School.

Howard Payne University’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes raised about $1,500 through theTony Daniel Memorial 5K. Money raised from the event is set aside in the FCA’s scholarship fund and used to send athletes and coaches to FCA camps in Texas. The event honors the memory of the FCA Brownwood area director who died last year.

Cole Franklin, director of the East Texas Baptist University debate team, received the 2019 Bennett Strange Coach of the Year Award at the International Public Debate Association’s national championship tournament and convention in Shreveport, La. Determined by a vote of all university programs attending the national tournament, the Coach of the Year award is presented to a debate director annually and honors the coach for his or her dedication to students, mentoring, debate education and pedagogy, and service to the association and debate community. Franklin is chair of the Department of Communication Studies and professor of communication at ETBU.

Howard Payne University recently held its sixth annual Wellness Fair, providing health screenings, demonstrations, exhibits and games, including a tug-of-war contest between teams made up of HPU faculty, staff and students. HPU personnel staffed booths focused on seven dimensions of wellness—emotional, intellectual, spiritual, environmental, occupational, social and physical.

Anniversaries

10 years for DeWayne Bush as pastor of First Baptist Church is Tuscola.

10 years for Joseph Fields as pastor of New Beginnings Church in Lewisville.

5 years for Charles McDermett as pastor of First Baptist Church of Eula in Clyde.

Retirement

Gene W. Jones will retire May 31 after 50 years in fulltime vocational ministry. He has been an associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Canyon since 1997, initially in the area of education and administration and for the last 10 years in senior adult ministry. He previously served churches in Sherman, Baytown, Houston, Big Spring, Dallas, Dimmit and Stanton, as well as in Clovis, N.M.

Baylor University recognized Gaynor Yancey as the 2019 Cornelia Marschall Smith Professor of the Year. Yancey, a Master Teacher at Baylor, is professor of social work and director of the Center for Church and Community Impact in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. She also is the Lake Family Endowed Chair in Congregational and Community Health. In that capacity, she teaches and mentors students in both the School of Social Work and Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor. As this year’s professor of the year, Yancey received a $20,000 award and will present a lecture on a topic of her choosing during the next academic year. Yancey is a member of First Woodway Baptist Church in Waco, where she is a Bible study teacher for adult women.

“Preach the Word!” is the theme of the 30^th annual National Conference on Preaching, scheduled May 21-23 at The Church Without Walls (Brookhollow Baptist Church) in Houston. The conference is sponsored by Preaching magazine and Anderson University. Speakers include Ralph Douglas West, pastor of the host church and adjunct professor of preaching at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary; H.B. Charles, pastor of Shiloh Church in Jacksonville, Fla.; Stephen Rummage, pastor of Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City; Charlie E. Dates, pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago; and Joel Gregory, professor of preaching at Truett Theological Seminary. For more information and registration, click here.

East Texas Baptist University recognized Katee Muckleroy of Nacogdoches during its 72^nd annual Senior Girl Call-Out, the university’s most longstanding tradition. Selected by a faculty and staff vote, the individual “called out” each year is distinguished for her exemplary Christian character, social consciousness, personal poise, academic achievement and spiritual vision. Muckleroy, a child development major, has been involved with the Titus Women’s Ministry, the ETBU Student Foundation and the women’s basketball team.

Howard Payne University’s Student Speaker Bureau speech and debate team recently competed at the National Christian College Forensics Association national tournament at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas. Freshman Alek Mendoza, theatre and communication major from Bangs, won fifth place in novice dramatic interpretation. Sophomore Lucy Manning, a Guy D. Newman Honors Academy communication and social science jurisprudence major from Fort Worth, won sixth place in open persuasive speaking. More than 220 students from 21 universities from across the nation participated.

Anniversary

First Baptist Church in Hearne marked its 150^th anniversary April 14. David Hardage, executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, was guest speaker, speaking from Matthew 16 on Christ as the church’s foundation. Michael T. Smith, who served the congregation during his time as a student at Baylor University, led in music and worship, along with the Living Soul Choir. Former pastor Larry Blackmon also participated in the morning worship service. Hardage presented a congratulatory certificate from the BGCT, and the church also received resolutions or proclamations from the City of Hearne and the State of Texas. Pastor James Hooper called the event “a marvelous celebration of God’s grace and faithfulness to this congregation over the past century and a half.”

Students at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor presented the school’s 80th annual Easter pageant in three performances April 17. Every year, the pageant portrays Christ’s triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, and Christ’s trial by Pontius Pilate, crucifixion, death and resurrection. The student-led production featured a cast of hundreds of students, along with children and grandchildren of students, faculty and staff. In keeping with tradition, UMHB President Randy O’Rear selected the student director and the students who fill the two key roles of Jesus and Mary on the basis of their strong Christian faith and character. Katie Aday was this year’s pageant director, and it featured Joey Mainini in the role of Jesus and Savannah Sepulveda as Mary.

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary removed from its J.W. MacGorman Chapel a controversial set of 40 stained glass windows commemorating the self-identified “conservative resurgence” in the Southern Baptist Convention. Seminary administrators stated no official reason for the removal and relocation of the windows. An April 4 letter to donors from Kevin Ueckert, then-chair of the seminary board of trustees, said, “After much prayerful consideration and discussion, we have concluded that it is in the best interest of the institution to remove and relocate the stained-glass windows.” One window included the likeness of former president Paige Patterson, his wife Dorothy and their dog. The board of trustees removed him as president last May in response to Patterson’s comments about spousal abuse and women. Although the trustees initially named him president emeritus, the board’s executive committee subsequently stripped him of all titles and benefits after new information emerged about how he mishandled rape allegations at a seminary where he served previously.

On the Sunday that followed the explosion that rocked West on April 17, 2013, First Baptist Church was unable to worship in its building, so the congregation met in a field on the other side of town, in the 800 block of S. Reagan St. The field, normally used as a parking lot for West Fest, was set up with a flatbed trailer for an altar and folding chairs for pews. Every year since then, on the Sunday after April 17, the church has met in that same field. This year, the outdoor worship service will be on Easter Sunday, April 21, and the church plans to celebrate the restoration of the community and the resurrection of Christ. The service will begin at 10:15 a.m. and will be followed by a children’s Easter egg hunt. John Crowder is pastor.

San Marcos Baptist Academy formally installed Brian Guenther as the school’s 15^th president during an inauguration ceremony at its spring convocation. Guenther became president of the 111-year-old private school last August. He joined the academy as an administrator in 2015 and was serving as interim academic dean when the trustees named him president. Ruth B. Welborn, chair of the academy’s board of trustees, presided over the convocation and presented Guenther with the school’s charter. John H. Garrison, 13th president of the academy, presented him with a school flag, and Jimmie W. Scott, president emeritus, presented him with the chain of office at the investiture ceremony.

The Faith & Sport Institute at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary is accepting applications for its second annual retreat, June 16-22. The institute seeks to train and equip high school athletes physically, emotionally and spiritually to help cultivate greatness in sports and in life. At the inaugural retreat last year, 35 student athletes from Central Texas learned how faith is a vital part of competition, made new friends from rival schools, competed against one another, and found safe spaces for discussion, reflection and care for others while developing in Christian leadership and character. To apply as a student athlete, click here. To apply as a mentor, click here.

Howard Payne University welcomed more than 200 student representatives to campus for the 2019 Christian Association of Student Leaders conference. CASL—formed in 1998 by the Texas Baptist universities—is designed to develop and strengthen college students in their campus leadership roles and relationships with Christ. This year’s event was coordinated by a student committee organized and assisted by Magen Bunyard, vice president for student life and dean of students at HPU. Sawyer Fisher of Bertram served as the conference coordinator, and Emma Reed of Arlington was president of the association.

The Daraja Children’s Choir recently led worship during a University of Mary Hardin-Baylor chapel service. The ministry has brought hundreds of children from Uganda and Kenya to tour the United States and lead worship since 2007, bridging cultures and discipling young leaders.

Bill and Bobbie Pinson received the Tom Landry Leadership Award from Dallas Baptist University. He is executive director emeritus of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, distinguished university professor at DBU and volunteer director of the Texas Baptist Heritage Center. She has served 18 years on the DBU board of trustees. The Pinsons are members of First Baptist Church in Lancaster.

Baylor University’s Lady Bears women’s basketball team won the NCAA national championship. In spite of an injury that forced junior Lauren Cox, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, from the game, the Lady Bears defeated Notre Dame 82-81. The national championship is the third in Baylor women’s basketball history, all under the leadership of Coach Kim Mulkey.

The Wayland Baptist University Flying Queens women’s basketball program will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame at a Sept. 5-7 ceremony in Springfield, Mass. The hall of fame’s direct-elect committee recognized the program from 1948 to 1982, when the Queens were instrumental in affecting changes made to women’s basketball—using community sponsors, offering athletic scholarships for women decades before Title IX, and changing the game to the full-court, 5-on-5 with unlimited dribble. The Queens hold the record for the longest winning streak in basketball at 131 games, accomplished from 1953 to 1958. The team earned 10 AAU national titles, national runner-up finishes, nine consecutive NWIT titles and success throughout the decades that has led to more than 1,600 wins—more than any team in history.

Howard Payne University’s Criminal Justice Club and Amigos Unidos Club will collect new and gently used items for the Heart of Texas Children’s Advocacy Center in Early. The organizations particularly request blankets, backpacks, stuffed animals and hygiene products. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 13, in the parking lot of Abundant Life Church on West Commerce in Brownwood. For more information, email Danny Brunette-López at dbrunette@hputx.edu.

Buckner Retirement Services marked the expansion and renovation of Buckner Calder Woods in Beaumont with an April 2 ribbon-cutting ceremony. The project involved an 80,000–square-foot expansion and 51,000-square-foot renovation, resulting in the addition of 67 residences and 24 skilled-nursing rooms. It also included the renovation of all independent-living common areas and construction of a wellness center with an indoor pool, gym, activity space and bistro.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg presented the Compassionate San Antonian Award to Pastor Jorge Zayasbazan and members of Baptist Temple in San Antonio. The award recognizes individuals who serve the community through acts of kindness and compassion, making a difference in the lives of others. Baptist Temple was nominated along with several District 3 churches by Ann Helmke, the City of San Antonio’s faith-based initiative liaison. The city recognized Baptist Temple for the innovative ways it has used its inner-city campus to meet the community’s spiritual and physical needs. Services include a charter school, an early learning center, a thrift store, a food pantry, a prison ministry, a performing arts ministry, crafts classes, support groups and counseling. On Sundays, six congregations meet at the Baptist Temple campus, including one congregation that worships in Spanish and one in American Sign Language. Baptist Temple also has launched an initiative for children ages 9 to 14 designed to break the cycle of generational poverty. The church also built an inclusive playground to enable children with special needs and children with typical abilities to play together.

Students from around the state involved in Baptist Student Ministry traveled to South Padre Island during spring break as a part of Beach Reach. Through the annual Texas Baptist evangelism initiative, college students share the hope of Jesus as they provide free food and transportation to beach visitors. The Beach Reach volunteers provided 19,552 rides, served 11,495 pancake breakfasts, prayed with 11,327 vacationers and engaged in 10,239 gospel conversations, resulting in 112 students beginning a relationship with Jesus and 52 recommitting their lives to Christ.

Six students from the Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing joined with 19 students from Baylor University’s Medical Service Organization on a medical mission trip to Peru during spring break. The group worked with Operacion San Andres to offer a health clinic to the underserved populations in Collique, a shantytown on the outskirts of Lima, Peru. In one week, the 25-member team conducted health screenings for 370 people, ranging in age from 6 months old to 94 years old. Baylor students also provided educational sessions for children who visit Operacion San Andres daily after school. The Baylor group led five 90-minute sessions in three classrooms with 30 children each, ages 7 to 12 years old. They also led a session for the children’s parents, teaching 42 adults.

Buckner International and the U.S. Department of Agriculture partnered to host a listening session in Alamo on March 28 to discuss how to promote agriculture and rural prosperity. Randy Daniels, vice president of program development and support for Buckner Children and Family Services, and Mike Beatty, USDA director of the office of partnership and public engagement, facilitated the conversation where local leaders shared about needs in the Rio Grande Valley, and the group discussed ways to promote economic development in the area. Representatives from First Baptist Church in Edinburg and Baylor University’s Texas Hunger Initiative participated in the listening session, along with various Rio Grande Valley civic and educational organizations. The Rio Grande Valley is home to the highest poverty, child poverty and hunger rates in the nation, heightening the need for economic development and opportunity.

East Texas Baptist University, in partnership with Truth Infusion Ministries and Soda Lake Baptist Association, hosted the inaugural Marshall United event on March 23 in Baker Chapel of the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center. Nearly 200 East Texas churches representing varied racial and ethnic backgrounds gathered for a night of worship led by David Markham and Truth Infusion Worship.

Dallas Baptist University student groups traveled to Washington, D.C., New York City and two locations in Arkansas during spring break for educational and service opportunities. The group who visited the nation’s capital visited the White House, the National Cathedral, Arlington National Cemetery, the Museum of the Bible and several other museums. At monuments and historic sites, they heard lectures by Adam Wright, DBU president; Dale Meinecke, director of the Master of Arts in Leadership program at DBU; and Brent Taylor, adjunct professor and pastor of First Baptist Church in Carrollton. Students who traveled to New York volunteered at The Bowery Mission and Street Life Ministries, serving the city’s homeless population. They also worshipped at Hillsong Church NYC, attended a jazz worship service at Redeemer Church and visited various tourist attractions. Student volunteers in Arkansas worked on Habitat for Humanity building projects in Van Buren and Fort Smith.

Poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil will speak at Hardin-Simmons University on April 5 as part of the Lawrence Clayton Poets and Writers Speaker Series. Nezhukumatathil, professor of English at the University of Mississippi, will participate in a question-and-answer session from 3:30 to 4:30. A poetry reading is scheduled at 7:30 p.m., followed by a reception and book signing at 8:30 p.m. Her published books of poetry include Oceanic, Lucky Fish, At the Drive-In Volcano and Miracle Fruit. All events—which are free and open to the public—will be in the multipurpose room of the Johnson Building on the HSU campus.

Juan Carlos Esparza Ochoa, a scholar who has researched and taught about religion in Latin America for nearly two decades, joined the Baylor University faculty. Esparza Ochoa was named director of the Program on Religion and Latin America Studies in the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor. He also will serve as research assistant professor in both the institute and Baylor’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. From 2011 to 2018, Esparza Ochoa managed data for the global religious demography projects housed at the Pew Research Center. He is the co-director of the Project on Religion and Economic Change, where he measures the impact of Protestant and Catholic pastoral care, missionary activity and humanitarian work on education, health, economic development and political outcomes around the world.

The Howard Payne University Woman’s Club will host its annual Yellow Rose Scholarship Luncheon on April 11, with area businesses and individuals serving as sponsors. The ticketed luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Bullion Suites of HPU’s Mabee University Center.

Pam Erickson, HPU alumna and author of You First, Me Second … Getting to the Heart of Social Responsibility, is the featured speaker. Erickson oversees Operation Blessing’s procurement and corporate relations staff in the daily acquisition of food, medical and relief supplies for both domestic and international programs. Luncheon tickets are $25, and space is limited. Tickets are available at HPU’s office of alumni relations and the university’s business office or click here. For information, call Nikki Donathan at (325) 649-8013 or Sareta Delgado at (325) 649-8048 or email womansclub@hputx.edu.

“Creativity in the Classroom” is the theme of Houston Baptist University’s annual Writers Conference from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 27, in the University Academic Center on the HBU campus. Jayme McGhan, dean of the HBU School of Fine Arts, and a noted playwright, will deliver the keynote address, “High-Impact Storytelling in the Classroom (or How to Be More Interesting Than Your Students’ Smartphones).” The family-friendly conference is designed for educators, seasoned writers and beginning writers. Four hours of TEA-recognized Continuing Education Units hours are available for educators. Session topics include: “Using Media Well,” “Deliberate Practice and Creative Pedagogy,” “Narration: Path to Writing Fluency,” “Processes for Preparing Students for College-Level Learning,” “Memory Blueprint: A WITS Writing Experience” and “Teaching the Analytic Essay through Film.” The cost is $30 for general admission and $50 for CEU credit. To register, click here.

Students from East Texas Baptist University traveled to Birmingham, Ala., during spring break to participate in the national Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge. Led by Scott Stevens, dean of spiritual life, the ETBU students earned service credit hours while being involved in hands-on mission work through home construction and rehabilitation.

Hardin-Simmons University will host a National Day of Prayer breakfast in cooperation with BCFS Health and Human Services-Abilene and Hendrick Health System at 7:30 a.m., May 2, in the Mabee Gym on the HSU campus. For more information, contact Kristina.campos@hsutx.edu or call (325) 829-0364.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes named Scott Drew, head coach of the Baylor University men’s basketball team, as recipient of the 2019 John Lotz “Barnabas” Award. The award is presented annually to honor a basketball coach who best exhibits a commitment to Christ, integrity and encouragement to others, and lives a balanced life. Drew is the 17th recipient of the “Barnabas” Award, named for former North Carolina assistant and Florida head coach John Lotz. Drew’s father, Valparaiso coach Homer Drew, received the inaugural John Lotz Award in 2003. Drew began coaching at Baylor in 2003. Eleven years later, he became the program’s all-time wins leader. Drew has built Baylor into one of nine programs to be nationally ranked in each of the past 11 seasons and one of 14 programs to advance to postseason play in every season since 2012. “In his coaching, Scott Drew has exemplified integrity, serving, teamwork and excellence on and off the court,” said Shane Williamson, FCA president and CEO. “This outstanding leader guides his players in matters much more eternal than the game of basketball.”

Jacob Dellinger, a music education major at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and the UMHB chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, the honor society for band members, organized a special concert March 22 at the Beltonian Theater in downtown Belton for people who struggle with sensory issues. Dellinger, who has Asperger syndrome, said he wanted to “create an environment where they can come and listen to peaceful relaxing music, where the lights will be fixed to not trigger their sensory problems.” Dellinger curated all the musical selections at the concert on the basis of their gentleness. “What I’m hoping is that we provided a safe environment, and that, through these accommodations, [visitors] were able to be moved by the music,” Dellinger said. Additionally, the event featured an instrument petting zoo before and after the concert, allowing children to touch and interact with a variety of musical instruments.

Dallas Baptist University announced it will name its first residential college in honor of donors Herb and Barbara Pedersen. Herb Pedersen, a longtime Texas Baptist pastor and denominational leader, has been in ministry nearly 60 years. He has served on the DBU board of trustees and as adjunct professor in the Cook School of Leadership. Barbara Pedersen taught in local school districts for three decades prior to her retirement and now is an adjunct professor at DBU. Both have received honorary doctorates from DBU. “The Pedersens are the quintessential examples of servant leaders, and it is so fitting to know that students who will live in the Pedersen Residential College will be able to carry the Pedersens’ legacy of servant leadership into the world for generations to come,” said DBU President Adam Wright.

Houston Baptist University’s Archie W. Dunham College of Business and Center for Christianity in Business will host a networking luncheon and seminar for professionals featuring Scott B. Rae, dean and professor of philosophy and Christian ethics at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology. Rae is the author of 12 books including Business for the Common Good: A Christian Vision for the Marketplace. The event will be held from noon to 2 p.m., May 3, in Dillon 2 of the Hinton Center on the HBU campus. To register, click here.

Hardin-Simmons University inducted four individuals into its Hall of Leaders at a March 22 luncheon. The Hall of Leaders provides permanent recognition of graduates, former students and former university employees who have distinguished records of achievement and good character. At the luncheon, HSU inducted Pete Ondeng, a 1982 HSU graduate, Kenya-based economic development strategist and founding president of the Lead Africa Foundation; and Cynthia K. Pearson, a 1985 HSU graduate and the president and chief executive officer of Day Nursery of Abilene. HSU honored two inductees posthumously—William Oswald Beazley Jr., a Baptist minister who served in a variety of administrative roles at HSU under six presidents, including service as director of the Six White Horses program; and Cydney Melinda Mizell, former HSU student who was killed in 2008 while serving as a Christian international aid worker in Afghanistan.

The East Texas Baptist University Symphonic Band and Concert Choir recently traveled to Austria as a part of the ETBU Global Study and Serve Program and the American Celebration of Music in Austria Concert Series. Led by ETBU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas Sanders, Department of Music Chair Justin Hodges, Assistant Band Director Douglas Lockard and collaborative artist and college organist Cathy DeRousse, the group of 56 students and faculty performed at and toured historical and cultural sites throughout Austria. In recognition of ETBU’s mission and artistic work across Austria, Hodges was presented a governmental certificate at the home of Jutta Unkart-Seifert, former Secretary of Education for Austrian Federal Ministry and current president of European Cultural Initiative.

Anniversary

15^th for Christopher Keefer as pastor of First Baptist Church in Poolville.

Sara L. Dolan, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University, received a five-year grant totaling nearly $3 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for a project aimed at improving clinical practice for children who have been victims of abuse and trauma. The grant allows Dolan and her collaborators, including Stacy Ryan-Pettes, assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor, to develop and implement new training methods in assessment and diagnosis for counselors and social workers, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for their patients. Therapists and counselors commonly use evidence-based treatment methods, which are interventions that have been validated through scientific studies to be effective for treating a particular disorder. However, therapists often deploy these treatments without first using evidence-based assessments, diagnostic methods that are grounded in the most current scientific knowledge, Dolan said. Over the course of five years, Dolan and her team hope to train more than 800 clinicians and doctoral students in evidence-based assessment of abused and traumatized children.

Baylor University’s Mayborn Museum Complex was accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. The Mayborn Museum joins a list of only 3 percent of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums in the United States to earn AAM accreditation. It is one of 47 accredited museums in Texas and 170 university museums nationwide.

Buckner International named Steve Watson as director of aid and assistance. Watson will direct all activities associated with domestic and international aid, as the two separate departments will be combined into one under his leadership. He will be responsible for the strategic planning and facilitating of all services directly impacting clients and programs worldwide. He will concentrate his efforts on administration, operations and international procurement. Watson joined Buckner in 2015 as director for international aid. He earned an undergraduate degree in psychology from Dallas Baptist University and has 30 years of experience in development, aid and logistics.

Michael Ward, professor of apologetics at Houston Baptist University, will lead a C.S. Lewis panel discussion, “The Current State of Lewis Studies,” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 27, in the Belin Chapel on the HBU campus. HBU faculty members Holly Ordway and Louis Markos and guest Andrew Lazo will join the conversation. The event is free. Register online here.

Ross Perot Jr., chair of The Perot Group, was the keynote speaker at the annual Christian Business Owner’s Conference on the Dallas Baptist University campus. The event is designed to encourage servant leaders in business to continue to integrate their faith with their vocation. “Good business means that you are taking care of everybody, you are fair with everybody, and you treat everybody like you want to be treated,” said Perot, chair of Hillwood, a Texas-based global real estate development company. “If you do that right, you have a better business.” Perot was the 1999 recipient of DBU’s Russell H. Perry Free Enterprise Award.

Carlos Francis, youth pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield, and Shawn Smith, senior pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Marshall, were guest speakers during Spiritual Renewal Week at East Texas Baptist University. “Defeating Distractions,” based on Hebrews 12:1-3, was the theme of on-campus worship experiences.

Mark Tew is leaving his role as Howard Payne University’s provost and chief academic officer to become the 23^rd president of Judson College in Marion, Ala. He assumes the post March 25. Tew, who joined HPU’s administration as vice president for academic affairs in September 2007, previously served at Judson College in a variety of administrative and academic capacities including senior vice president, vice president for institutional advancement, chief financial officer and professor of religious studies. Celeste Church, assistant vice president for retention, research and accreditation at HPU, will become acting provost at HPU, effective March 18. Church joined HPU’s music faculty in 2004 and progressed through the ranks from instructor to full professor. She also served as chair of the faculty assembly, co-chair of the general education review committee and dean of institutional research and effectiveness.

The Academy at Houston Baptist University will sponsor an open house from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on March 21 in the Cullen Parlor on the HBU campus. The event also will recognize students from The Academy and recent essay contest award winners. The Academy offers a classical Christian education at the secondary school level for eighth-graders and high school students. Dual-credit courses allow students to earn college credit at a reduced tuition rate. In its seventh year, The Academy serves area homeschool families and partner schools. Students learn from faculty on HBU’s campus or at partner school locations. For more information, click here. To make a reservation for the open house, click here.

Wayland Baptist University will offer a Hispanic Christian Leadership Scholarship beginning with the 2019-20 school year. The scholarship covers 100 percent of student tuition and full room and board for a student throughout his or her undergraduate degree. Recipients must be active members of a church affiliated with the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas. Wayland Baptist University will select a recipient based on merit and achievement. For more information and access to an online application, click here.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the grand opening of the Buckner Family Hope Center of Lubbock. Angelina Rodriguez is director of the center. Buckner International operates 28 Family Hope Centers around Texas and in six countries. Services offered typically include parent education classes, job skills training, family coaching, spiritual enrichment and a variety of programs for children.

The Hodge-Martin-Chatfield Museum recently dedicated a Texas Historical Marker commemorating the 1868 organization of the Baptist General Association of Texas at Chatfield in Navarro County. The association drew most of its affiliated churches from North Texas and East Texas. In 1886, the Baptist General Association of Texas merged with the Baptist State Convention to form the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Anniversary

20^th for Gary Singleton as pastor of The Heights Church in Richardson.

Ordinations

First Baptist Church in Belton ordained to the gospel ministry Logan Reynolds, minister for college; Les Williams, associate youth/recreation minister; and Matthew Levant, lead pastor of Renewal Church.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor dedicated Lord Hall, the school’s newest and largest residential facility, on March 1. At the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony, UMHB President Randy O’Rear noted the school will open the building at the same time it welcomes the largest freshman class in its history. The 49,614-square-foot, 214-bed residence hall includes a large central lobby, a common area with a kitchen, study rooms on two floors, computer kiosks throughout the building and two laundry rooms on each floor. The residence hall is named in honor of Griff and Kathy Lord, Michael and Sharon Lord Daggett, and their families, who have made frequent personal gifts and family foundation grants to UMHB through the years. Katelyn Blackhurst, a sophomore at UMHB whose parents serve as missionaries in Taiwan, spoke at the dedication ceremony. She is a recipient of the Ida Myrtle Roberts Manning Endowed Scholarship, established by the Lord family.

Baylor University named Nancy W. Brickhouse of Saint Louis University as provost following a national search. She will assume her new role May 1. Brickhouse previously served as provost at Saint Louis University, a Jesuit research university with 8,000 undergraduate students and 6,000 graduate students at its main campus in St. Louis. She received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry magna cum laude from Baylor and both her master’s degree in chemistry and her doctorate in science education from Purdue University. “Our aspirations are great as we grow Baylor’s research impact while maintaining our strong tradition of undergraduate education in an unambiguously Christian environment,” Baylor President Linda Livingstone said. “Dr. Brickhouse not only understands this distinctiveness, but embraces the belief that the world—and higher education in particular—needs a Baylor. We look forward to benefiting from her experiences as an academic leader, scholar and advocate for Christian higher education.”

Houston Baptist University has established the Gideon Institute of Christian Psychology and Counseling within its College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Eric L. Johnson, founding director of the Society for Christian Psychology, heads the institute. Johnson, author of God and Soul Care: The Therapeutic Resources of the Christian Faith, taught undergraduate psychology for 10 years at University of Northwestern, and Christian psychology and counseling for 17 years at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges, HBU plans to offer Master of Arts degrees in Christian psychology and Christian counseling through the institute. The institute also will include a Christian counseling clinic on or near the HBU campus to provide counseling both to students and the surrounding community.

Wayland Baptist University is launching an accelerated five-year Master of Divinity degree program in the fall semester. It allows undergraduate juniors and seniors to earn graduate-level credit that transfers directly to the master’s degree program. “The accelerated program allows students the opportunity to trim up to two years off the traditional seven-year college and seminary path,” said Stephen Stookey, dean of Wayland’s School of Religion and Philosophy. “We did a thorough examination of trends in theological education as well as an examination of the needs of our constituent churches and students. We went into this process with the idea of how can we best serve our students and our churches.” The program is available at all Wayland campuses and online. For more information, email christianstudies@wbu.edu.

Baylor University, in conjunction with the Baylor Line Foundation, announced the slate of alumni-elected regent candidates presented for election this spring. They are Suzii Paynter of Austin, David Slover of Dallas and Lindsey Davis Stover of McLean, Va. Information about the candidates will be provided to alumni in the spring issue of Baylor Magazine, on the Baylor website here, the Baylor Line Foundation website here and through the university’s social media channels. Credentials for voting will be provided to all degree-holding Baylor alumni by mail and/or email in advance of the voting period. The election will be conducted by an independent third party from April 29 through May 9. The candidate receiving the most votes will serve a three-year term on the Baylor board of regents. The candidates, whose nominations were supported by the signatures of at least 50 other Baylor graduates or who were nominated by official advisory and advocacy boards and groups associated with the university, were considered by a nominating committee. The committee was comprised of two sitting alumni-elected regents not up for re-election and two other regents. A full list of guidelines for the election can be found here.

Buckner Southeast Texas received a $35,000 grant from The Edaren Foundation. It includes $10,000 applied toward 13 educational scholarships for young adults who have aged out of foster care and received transitional support from Buckner. While the state pays tuition for any foster care alum who attends a state university, the Edaren Foundation scholarship provides funds for books, room and board or rent, school supplies, school fees or other educational needs. The grant also includes a $25,000 matching gift for the Buckner Family Pathways program for single mothers.

Anniversary

10^th for Leslie Hollon as pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio.

Editor’s Note: The item regarding Baylor’s alumni-elected regents candidates was edited after it originally was posted when the university announced the dates of the voting period.