Texas Tidbits: Tournaments draw nearly 1,000 participants

Six regional Texas Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers’ Tournaments attracted 991 participants from 130 churches. The highest-scoring youth from each region traveled to Dallas for the annual state competition. Elizabeth Hannah, from FBC Allen, placed second in the Youth Speakers’ Tournament held at the Baptist Building May 3. Yana Gendke, from First Baptist Church, Teneha, took first place during the Texas Baptist Youth Speakers’ Tournament.Elizabeth Hannah, from FBC Allen, placed second in the Youth Speakers’ Tournament held at the Baptist Building May 3.In the state youth Bible Drill competition for grades 7 to 9, Zachary Gray from First Baptist Church in Allen won first place, and Megan Shipman from First Baptist in Allen and Holli Barger from First Baptist Church in Carrollton tied for second place. In the state high school Bible Drill for grades 10 to 12, Taryn Smith from First Baptist in Allen placed first, and Faith Harper from First Baptist Church in Atlanta placed second. In the youth Speakers’ Tournament for grades 10 to 12, Yana Gendke from First Baptist Church in Tenaha placed first, and Elizabeth Hannah from First Baptist Church in Allen placed second. First-place winners will compete at the National Bible Drill and Speakers’ Tournament held at First Baptist Church in Helen, Ga., June 20.

BCFS opens one-stop community center for children and families. Baptist Child & Family Services opened its Westside Community Center as a one-stop center to serve children and families in San Antonio, providing everything from parenting classes and mentoring to a community garden. The center also offers space to community organizations and businesses—at no charge—so they can hold meetings, team-building exercises and other activities designed to help revitalize the city’s Westside.

ETBU approved to offer a master’s degree with principal certification. The State Board for Educator Certification approved East Texas Baptist University’s request to offer a master of education degree with principal certification. The ETBU School of Education is taking applications for the new program, which begins June 1.