Around the State

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A Christmas dinner theater production, “Oh Holy What?” will be performed Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Heart of Texas Camp. The comedy is written and directed by Nicholas Ewen, Howard Payne University theater professor. A banquet buffet will be served. The requested minimum donation is $10. All proceeds will go toward completion of the summer camp recreation pavilion. For more information, call (325) 784-5821.

The Delta Pi Theta chapter of East Texas Baptist University distributed food baskets to local families on Thanksgiving evening. From left to right, Kristopher Picarella, Jessica Harrison, Madison Kauffman, Kasey McLendon and Blake Cherry delivered baskets loaded with items essential for a complete Thanksgiving meal.

The Howard Payne University team of Jake Aschmutat and Charity Chambers won the South Texas College of Law Moot Court Tournament in Houston. The pair defeated a team from the U.S. Air Force Academy 5-0 in the final round. Aschmutat and Chambers were awarded a $1,000 cash prize each for their victory.

East Texas Baptist University students James Fugate of Spring and Kellie Ann Thompson of Crandall have received the Bob and Gayle Riley Servant Leadership Award. ETBU gives the award annually to two students who exhibit exceptional servant leadership. Each recipient received a cash reward and a replica of Max Greiner’s sculpture of Jesus washing the feet of Simon Peter.

Dallas Baptist University students Chris La, Kathryn Cryer and Amanda Vines each received a $3,000 scholarship by the Campus to Community Coalition of Texas. The scholarship addresses the shortage of science, technology, engineering and math graduates and advocates service learning. This is the first time all scholarship recipients have been females and from the same university.

Baylor University was recognized by the Professional Grounds Management Society for exceptional grounds maintenance among universities and colleges in the society’s 2012 Green Star Awards competition.

Anniversaries

Ed Walker, 10th, as pastor of Granite Mountain Church in Marble Falls, Nov. 4.

Mark Newton, 10th, as pastor of First Church in San Marcos, Dec. 1.

Retiring


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Leonardo Cantu, after 28 years as pastor of Templo Emanuel in Pawnee.

Abel Sosa, after 12 years as pastor of Primera Iglesia in Sinton.

Howard Payne University received a grant to purchase a 42-foot trailer equipped with laptop computers, satellite Internet and other equipment that will allow the university to go to prospective students. It will provide information on HPU and the general college-search process with the goal of increasing enrollment. It will travel to schools, community events, festivals and churches across the state.

Jerry Raines, after 16 years as pastor of Hampton Road Church in DeSoto and 41 years in ministry. His previous pastorates include First Church in Lometa, Live Oak Church in Gatesville and Canyon Creek Church in Temple. He also has been active in volunteer mission projects in Germany, Romania, Moldova, Spain, Mexico and Brazil. He and his wife, Sue Ann, have three children, two serving with the International Mission?Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Deaths

Pete Tippen, 93, Nov. 26 in Abilene. A 1939 graduate of Hardin-Simmons University, he was instrumental in the origin of the school’s Six White Horses team. A member of the Cowboy Band, he preceded the band in a parade on a white horse carrying the Texas flag as another man carried the American flag. From this grew the idea of female students on horseback carrying the six flags that have flown over Texas. During World War II, he was stationed in England, Panama, Trinidad, Brazil and India. During the Korean War, he flew 52 bombing missions over North Korea, was stationed at the Pentagon and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After retiring from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, he returned to Abilene where he served as director and board chairman of Hendrick Medical Center. He also served on HSU’s board of development from 1997 to 2005. He was a member of First Church in Abilene, where he served as chairman of deacons and later as deacon emeritus. He was preceded in death by his wife, Minnie Alice, and brother, Bill. He is survived by his sons, Peter and Philip; daughter, Susan Montgomery; sister, Norma Sue McCann; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Zig Ziglar, 86, Nov. 28 in Plano. The motivational speaker and author of more than 30 books died after suffering from pnuemonia. He published his first book, See You At the Top, at age 49, but his full-time speaking career began prior to that. Making a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior at age 42, Christianity became a focal point of his life. He served as first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1984-85. He was a member of Prestonwood Church in Plano. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Suzan Witmeyer. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jean; daughters, Julie Norman and Cindy Oates; son, Tom; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

Event

Memorial Church in Taylor will bring Bethlehem to life Dec. 16. Church members will re-enact the hustle and bustle of the day Mary and Joseph arrived. Shop-keepers will open their stores at 5:30 p.m. to sell food and crafts. The pageant and music begins at 6:30 p.m. “Come and See What’s Happening at the Barn” will be held at the home of Pastor Dudley Marx, located on FM 486. From Highway 79, turn south at the traffic light in Thorndale, travel 2.5 miles and turn left on CR 450.

Ordained

Asa Cole, Kerry Gunn, Daniel Rexford, Derrick Wade and Ray Ward as deacons at Wooster Church in Baytown, Nov. 11.

Jim Kenesek and Jimmy Cass as deacons at Friendship Church in Caldwell, Nov. 18.


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