Three Texas Baptists—Mary Alice Birdwhistell at Calvary Baptist Church in Waco, Jakob Topper at Second Baptist Church in Lubbock and Kyle Tubbs at Grace Baptist Church in Round Rock—are among 25 ministers in their first full-time ministerial position who have been named Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Fellows, a two-year program to help support their healthy transition into congregational ministry. Each CBF Fellow enters into a covenant with CBF and his or her congregation, which agrees to provide non-vacation time for the fellow to participate in retreats where fellows learn together, build community and provide support to each other. Fellows also are provided access to a trained and experienced ministerial coach. The Lilly Foundation supports the CBF Fellows program, facilitated in partnership with the Center for Congregational Health and FaithHealthNC.
Rebecca O’BanionO’Banion named UMHB associate VP. Rebecca O’Banion was named associate vice president for development and alumni relations at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Prior to joining the UMHB staff in 2006 as director of alumni relations, O’Banion served as executive director of Hope for the Hungry, an interdenominational organization that works to meet physical and spiritual needs of children around the world. She earned her undergraduate degree and her doctorate in higher education administration from UMHB, and she holds a master’s degree from Liberty University.
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