Foundation presents annual missions awards

FORT WORTH—The Texas Baptist Missions Foundation recognized the work and ministry of three missions leaders—Paul Powell, Chris Simmons and Joe T. Lenamon—during a luncheon at the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting.

Powell, dean emeritus of Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary, received the Adventurer Award for leadership in missions. The award is given to individuals who work to advance missions through significant mission activities, outstanding financial support or leadership in ministry opportunity.

Simmons, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Dallas, received the Innovator Award for creativity in missions. The Innovator Award honors those who provide models for missions that others can adopt.

For more than 20 years, Cornerstone has begun many creative mission outreach projects in South Dallas. Under Simmons’ leadership, the church has started children’s ministries, outreach projects for former convicts, missions for the homeless and educational training for community residents.

The church has worked in partnership with Buckner International, Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger, Texas Restorative Justice Ministry Network and the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation.

Lenamon received this year’s Pioneer Award for service in missions, which recognizes those who have been a lifelong leader in mission work that impacts Texas Baptist Life.

Lenamon has been a leader in Texas Royal Ambassadors and with Texas Baptist Men, serving as one of three original TBM vice presidents and as president of the group from 1974 to 1976. He was key in helping to found a Baptist encampment in Aquilla whose mission is to train men and boys to serve as missionaries. The camp later was named Lake Lenamon in his honor.

He has served on the board of numerous Baptist institutions and foundations, including the Brotherhood Com-mission, Hardin-Simmons University, Riverbend Retreat Center near Glen Rose and the Tarrant Baptist Association Brotherhood.