Around the State

• The artwork of Jack Hamm is featured in the exhibition “Drawing Power: Original Editorial Cartoons” at Baylor University’s W.R. Poage Legislative Library through Dec. 20. Hamm, a Baylor alumnus, was torn between a life as an illustrator and as a pastor. After dropping out of the Moody Bible Institute twice because of financial constraints, he turned to professional cartooning. After he was offered the opportunity to develop and illustrate his own detective comic strip in the late 1930s, he struggled to reconcile that opportunity with his calling to ministry. After consulting with his wife, he dropped cartooning and came to Baylor to study theology. Military service and other interruptions made it necessary to take 13 years to earn his degree. As a student, he was known for giving illustrated sermons at Waco-area churches throughout the 1940s and ’50s. He eventually realized his ministry was to combine the two gifts he had been given. His syndicated religious artwork in newspapers reached 29 million people at one point. He also was an illustrator for the Baptist Standard and artist-in-residence at Dallas Baptist College. The exhibition is available from 8:15 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• The College of Christian Studies of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor certificate in Christian ministry classes for the spring semester will begin Jan. 8. The program is offered at four extension centers in Belton, Killeen/Harker Heights, Cedar Park and Round Rock. It consists of 18 one-semester-hour courses. The cost is $195 per course with scholarships available. For more information, call (254) 295-5075.

• Hardin-Simmons University has been given an extensive rare Bible collection. The school was entrusted with the collection by Charles and Roena Tandy. The collection Tandy, a 1949 Hardin-Simmons graduate, presented to the school includes a first edition of the King James Bible and a “Great She” Bible—a 1613 edition of the King James Version named for a correction of a previous printer’s error found in Ruth 3. It also includes a 1541 edition of the Great Bible and a first edition of the Geneva Bible translated by Protestant Reformers at Geneva in 1560. In all, the collection consists of 26 Bibles, 19 leaves and fragments and 31 volumes of secondary literature.

• Twelve Howard Payne University students travelled to Philadelphia to participate in a model United Nations conference. More than 1,000 university students participated in the conference, a three-day simulation of an actual meeting of the United Nations. The majority of the HPU delegation represented the Czech Republic through service on seven committees. Having spent the past semester researching the Eastern European country, the HPU students acted on behalf of the Czech views as closely as possible on the issues addressed.

Anniversaries

• Leslie Adams, 10th, as pastor of Calvary Church in Rockdale.

• Mark Moeller, 15th, as minister of worship and finance at First Church in San Angelo, Nov. 23.

• Steve Johnson, 15th, as pastor of First Church in Caldwell, Jan. 1.

• David Beckworth, 20th, as pastor of First Church in Chappell Hill, Jan. 15.

San Marcos Baptist Academy held a dedication ceremony for the newly completed Mafrige Fitness Center, a $500,000 facility donated by Nancy and Don Mafrige, both 1955 graduates of the school. Looking on as the Mafriges cut the ribbon to officially open the center were Monty Lewis, chief financial officer; Billy Windham, designer; John Garrison, SMBA president; Toby Wade, athletic director; Jimmie Scott, vice chairman of the board of trustees; Anastasia Parish, Student Senate president; Sidney Thompson of Sidney Thompson Construction; and Beverley Elliott, assistant to the president. In addition to housing weight and fitness equipment, the facility also houses the athletic offices of the school.

• Maplecrest Church in Vidor, 50th, Jan. 18. Three services will be held that day. Former pastor Billy Bob Moore will preach in the 9:30 a.m. service, and former pastor David Lindow will follow in the 10:45 a.m. service. Following a lunch, former pastor Ronnie Johnson will preach at 1:30 p.m. Former ministers of music and former members will present special music. For more information, call (409) 769-3567. David Valleau is pastor.

• Calvin Williams, fifth as pastor of Mount Zion Church in Cameron.

Deaths

• Jack Mills, 89, Nov. 8 in Athens. A graduate of East Texas Baptist College and Southwest-ern Seminary, he was a veteran of World War II, where he served in Italy and North Africa. He was ordained to the ministry at Larue Church in Larue. He was pastor of Center Grove Church in Mount Vernon, Indian Rock Church in Gilmer, Tarrant Road Church in Fort Worth, Harwood Terrace Church in Bedford and New York Church in New York. He also was the founding camp director of Tarrant Baptist Association Encampment in Glen Rose.

The African Children’s Choir performed during an East Texas Baptist University chapel meeting this fall. The 22-member choir was in the second month of a 14-month U.S. tour. The children range from ages 7 to 11. The choir tour along with child sponsorships, donors, and CD/DVD sales help raise funds to run schools and programs that educate thousands of children in Uganda, Sudan and South Africa. Many children in Africa cannot learn to read or write because their families cannot afford to send them to school. Former members of the choir have become doctors, engineers, teachers, social workers and professional leaders in Africa. For more information concerning the choir, go to www.africanchildrenschoir.com .

He founded Jack Mills Evangelistic Association in 1991 and began mission work in Russian and the Ukraine, continuing ministry there until his death. He made 34 trips to Russia/Ukraine, where he built 11 churches and preached to thousands. He was preceded in death by his great-grandsons, Harley Sinclair and Noah Jones. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lou Ellen; daughters, Jackie Lewis and Martha Melton; son, Mark; sisters, Ila Heiskell and Von Ella Broussard; brother, Hays; 16 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

• Howard McCamey, 98, Nov. 25 in Dallas. He served 31 years as a dental/medical missionary to Nigeria. He was a longtime member of Gaston Oaks Church in Dallas.

• Patsy Hoffman, 61, Dec. 1 in Gonzales. Her husband, Hollas, was a longtime Texas pastor. He served Eastside Church in Gonzales, First Church in Smithville, First Church in Schulenburg, First Church in Palacios, First Church in Hallettsville, and First Church in Fredricksburg. She is survived by her husband of 41 years; sons, Hollas, Christopher and Heath; sisters, Rae Johnson, Doris Patches and Joyce Jentsch; brother, Darrell Harp; and five grandchildren.

Events

• First Church in Westbrook honored Frances Ranne for her 50 years of service as the church’s pianist. A floral arrangement was presented to the church by her family. Interim Pastor James Shields gave her an award on behalf of the congregation.

• Tallowood Church in Houston is inviting all former members of its choir to sing together at the dedication of the church’s new sanctuary Jan. 11. The church is celebrating the completion of a $28.6 million construction project that includes a worship center seating more than 2,000, music rehearsal facilities, and a three-story education and administration building. The choir reunion begins with a rehearsal at 11 a.m. Jan. 10. A lunch will follow. A concert will be held that evening featuring Barbara Jones, the church’s pianist, and all former church pianists to dedicate the church’s new concert grand piano. Duane Brooks is pastor.

• Dellview Church in San Antonio will celebrate 57 years of service to the community Jan. 11. A group picture will be taken. A lunch will follow the morning service. Phil Risley is pastor.