Around the State

• The Heart of Texas Literature Center at Howard Payne University distributed 3,500 children’s books among the center’s sponsor organizations recently. The literature center reviews children’s books throughout the year in a quarterly journal and the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database, used nationwide by librarians as a selection tool. At the distribution event, the books received from publishers were passed on to the center’s sponsors. HPU is one of only two universities in the United States that houses this type of children’s literature review center.

• Christy Gandy has been named director of global missions at Dallas Baptist University. She had been DBU’s assistant director of spiritual life. She is a member of Hillcrest Church in Cedar Hill.

• Ellen Fineout-Overholt has been named dean of the East Texas Baptist University department of nursing.

Anniversaries

• Craig Lloyd, fifth, as pastor of Southlake Church in Waxa-hachie, July 1.

• George Solis, 30th, as pastor of Primera Iglesia in Waxahachie, July 4.

• Keith McGee, 15th, as minister of music and worship at First Church in Denton, July 22.

• Greg Allen, fifth, as pastor of Kentuckytown Church in White-wright, Aug. 6.

• Stephen Wilhite, fifth, as minister of music of First Church in Howe, Aug. 6.

• Jerry Henry, 10th, as pastor of Sadler Church in Sadler, Aug. 12.

• Oak Grove Church in Burleson, 100th, Aug. 12-14. A dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, along with children’s activities, singing and words from James Leo Garrett. A meal also will kick off the activities at noon on Saturday. The Cooks will lead a gospel sing-along, and Skip McNeal will speak. Sunday morning, Bruce Corley will preach, and Jimmy Nelson also will participate in the service, along with Rebekah Naylor and Bruce Troy. Steve Beckwith is pastor.

• First Church in Plains, 100th, Aug. 14. A breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. A meal will follow the celebration service that morning. Patrick Hamilton is pastor.

• Wilshire Church in Dallas, 60th, Aug. 28. Copies of a book recounting the church’s history will be sold that day. Baptist historian Bill Leonard will preach. A reception will follow the evening service. A historical display featuring still images, video and audio will be available. A reunion of the sanctuary choir will be constituted for the morning service. A reunion of former youth choir members and orchestra members will perform in the evening service. George Mason is pastor.

Retiring

• Wayne Ford, as pastor of Allison Church in Allison, June 26. He served the church 32 years. During his 54 years of ministry, he also served as pastor of Shiloh Church near Richland Springs, Patillo Church in Lipan and Cross Cut Church in Callahan County. He served as interim pastor at Rocky Creek Church in Brownwood, First Church in Lipan, Huckabay Church in Stephenville and Morgan Mill Church in Morgan Mill.

Death

• Moveta McLaughlin, 84, June 29 in Garland. A graduate of Hardin-Simmons University, she was a teacher and counselor in Dallas 30 years. She and her husband, John, conducted marriage enrichment retreats many years. He was employed by the Baptist General Convention of Texas as an ethnic work consultant in the church training division. She taught Sunday school more than 30 years at First Church in Rockwall, but most recently was a member of Wilshire Church in Dallas. She is survived by her husband of 64 years; sons, Weldon and Travis; daughter, Kellye Magee-Brim; brother, Bill Wallace; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Event

• First Church in Paducah held a retirement reception  June 26 to honor Ilene Robertson for playing the church’s piano and organ more than 80 years.