Around the State: [Un]Apologetics

• The evangelism division of the Baptist General Convention of Texas has set the dates for two (un)Apologetics conferences. The conferences will address ways to remove obstacles to evangelism to postmoderns and Muslims and cover diverse cultural issues. The first conference will be Feb. 8-9 at Houston Baptist University. A second conference will be held March 1-2 at First Church in Stephenville. Registration information is at www.texasapologetics.com.

• The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor conferred degrees on 262 students during fall commencement ceremonies. Bach-elor’s degrees were awarded to 201 students, 56 received master’s degrees, and five earned doctoral degrees.

• Vester Hughes, a Dallas attorney, was honored by Dallas Baptist University as the recipient of the 2012 Russell H. Perry Free Enterprise Award. The award and the dinner at which it is presented honor leaders whose lives are testimonies of achievements in free enterprise and service to the community. Over the last 24 years, the dinner has raised more than $3.85 million in scholarship funds for almost 1,650 DBU students.

Hardin-Simmons University honored Virginia Connally on the occasion of her 100th birthday Dec. 4. She posed with HSU President Lanny Hall and his wife, Carol, outside the missions center that bears her name. A 1933 graduate of the university, she was Abilene’s first female physician. She established the Connally Endowed Chair for Missions and also provided the lead gift to establish the Connally Missions Center in 2000.

• Baptist Child & Family Services has opened a transitional living home for homeless males ages 18 to 23 in Abilene. The men may stay at the home from only a few months up to a year. Residents of the home will be connected with BCFS’ Abilene Transition Center, which provides counseling, case management, education, housing assistance and employment connections.

• Baylor University has announced the appointment of Beverly Gaventa as distinguished professor of New Testament interpretation. She currently is professor of New Testament literature and exegesis at Princeton Theological Seminary. She will join Baylor in fall 2013.

• Howard Payne University presented a check for $3,857.81 to the Brownwood Regional Medical Center’s Walker Cancer Cen-ter. The donation represents funds raised by the university’s Brenda Newbury Breast Cancer Awareness Walk-A-Thon.

• Kallie Kent, a senior speech communication major from Mount Pleasant, is the winner of East Texas Baptist University’s Bennett Speech Contest. The annual public speaking contest is for graduating seniors. Kent received a cash award.

Anniversaries

East Texas Baptist University held "Christmas on the Hill" December 6. Students, faculty and staff sang Christmas carols and heard the Christmas story read from Luke 2 by President Dub Oliver.

• Gary Thornton, 10th, as pastor of Second Church in Lake Jackson, Nov. 18.

• Lee Rickaway, 15th, as minister of education at First Church in Duncanville, Dec. 8.

• Steve Trammel, 15th, as pastor of Lifepoint Fellowship Church in Tyler, Jan. 1.

• Gene Horton, 45th, as pastor of First Church in Rio Hondo, Jan. 2.

• Robert Carter, 20th, as pastor of Colonial Hills Church in Tyler, Jan. 31.

Death

• Hal Haralson, 77, Nov. 27 in Austin. He was pastor of churches in Breckenridge, Abilene and Las Cruces, N.M. In 1971, he graduated from law school and practiced in the state capital more than 30 years. He struggled with bipolar disorder many years, but turned his own experience into a ministry to others living with the disorder. He received many awards for his efforts, including the National Mental Health Association’s highest honor, the Clifford Beers Award. A graduate of Hardin-Simmons University, he served on the school’s board of trustees from 1987 to 1995 and worked on the board of development from 1997 until 2011. He also was a board member of the alumni association and a founding member of the Board of Young Associates at the university. In 1997, he was honored with HSU’s John J. Keeter Service Award. He also was a featured contributor for Christian Ethics Today, and those articles were published in two collections. He was preceded in death by his brother, Ken; and daughter, Jill Haralson. He is survived by his wife, Judy; sons, Brad and David; brother, Dale; and six grandchildren.

Ordained

• Pablo Rivas to the ministry at Primera Iglesia in Rockdale, Dec. 16.