Wayland Baptist University entered a new chapter July 1 with the arrival of Donna Hedgepath, as the university’s 14th president. She is the first woman to lead the 115-year-old institution. Hedgepath joins Wayland from Campbellsville University in Kentucky, where she served as provost and was instrumental in driving significant enrollment growth at the multi-campus Baptist university. As president, Hedgepath is eager to collaborate with faculty, staff, students and alumni, stating: “Collectively, we can move this university forward.” She has prioritized student success, development and service, emphasizing cooperation and forward-thinking strategies. Hedgepath expressed enthusiasm about becoming an active member of the Plainview community, noting she is eager to contribute and engage with business and church leaders.

Howard Payne University recently appointed Wade Ashby as dean of online education and associate professor and chair of the department of computer information systems. In his new role, Ashby will help provide tools and training for HPU faculty to offer high quality online instruction. He will advocate, facilitate and lead HPU in offering quality, flexible degrees targeted at adult learners who are seeking continuing education or a career change. He will support the academic programs at HPU to develop online programs and courses as needed to fulfill the university’s mission of impactful Christian education. Ashby previously served at Hardin-Simmons University for 20 years, where he taught computer science and directed the online bachelor’s degree in business administration. Ashby completed his Ph.D. from Northcentral University in May. He also holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from Georgia Tech with a focus of interactive intelligence and an M.Div. in pastoral ministry from Logsdon Seminary at HSU.

Hardin-Simmons University has been designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution. The designation is granted to universities by the U.S. Department of Education and requires a minimum of 25 percent of an institution’s full-time undergraduate students identify as Hispanic. Currently, approximately 26 percent of HSU undergraduates identify as Hispanic. Reaching HSI status has been a goal for the university since 2021 when it was recorded in the school’s strategic plan, but efforts have been in place since before then. Achieving federal recognition as an HSI will make HSU eligible to apply for a range of federal grants, strengthen institutional programs, facilities and services, and expand educational opportunities for Hispanic Americans and other underrepresented populations. Moving forward, HSU will work to direct efforts and resources toward improving admission, yield and retention rates for Hispanic students andcontinue to make HSU an affordable option for all students.

Smith County officials awarded volunteers with Texans on Mission disaster relief team with a Smith County Community Hero Award, after the group helped more than 100 residents clean up their properties damaged by severe weather in late May and early June. Texans on Mission, historically called Texas Baptist Men, has worked all over Smith County for the past three weeks. Incident Commander Jim Lawton, of Waxahachie, said they received 140 work orders from people requesting help clearing downed trees on their property. Several teams have worked to complete 100 of those work orders and will complete as many more as possible before they leave Smith County. Chainsaw teams from Tyler and Athens were joined by volunteers from Katy and Pittsburg, as well as teams from Louisiana and Arkansas, he said. County Judge Neal Franklin and Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore presented the group with the award.

Baylor University will host a one-day conference Sept. 13 to consider leadership approaches and practices in a crisis-weary world. Sponsored by Truett Theological Seminary’s Program for the Future Church, participants will learn from and with nationally recognized thought leaders, to enjoy interactive panel discussions and to network with other Christian leaders—speakers include Linda A. Livingstone, Nancy Brickhouse, Sandeep Mazumder, Tiffany Hogue, Tod Bolsinger, Audrey Martin, Charlie Dates, Jovan Overshown, Jonathan Tran, Steve Wells, Coté Soerens and Don Corley. Participants also will have an opportunity to hear about Baylor’s new strategic plan and to consider best practices for guiding visioning processes in local ministry, nonprofit and business sectors. Lunch and refreshments are included in the cost of registration. Register one person for $50 or four people for $100. More information, including the registration link, can be found here.

The Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities will host OsoAble Transition to Adulthood on Oct. 10. This full-day event is tailored for adolescents and young adults aged 14 to 30 with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their parents, educators and service providers. It aims to provide valuable information about postsecondary opportunities for transition-aged youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Anniversary

Big Springs Baptist Church in Garland will celebrate 150 years on Aug. 18. Charlie Bell is pastor. A schedule of commemorative events throughout the summer can be found here.

Not every student who ends up at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor comes as a believer in Christ. There are students from both ends of the belief spectrum—and everywhere in between.

Some never have set foot in a church and have no idea how to look up a Bible verse until they walk into their first Old Testament class. Others seem so mature in their walk with Jesus that it’s hard to believe they’re only in their teens.

Some students, like 2023 alumnus Isaiah Johnson, arrive at UMHB with more questions than answers about their futures and faith but leave changed, healed and saved.

One Sunday morning, when he was 7 or 8 years old, Isaiah’s mom took him to church and told him to give his life to Christ and get baptized. The preacher dipped the youngster under the baptismal water, the congregation cheered and the family went home to celebrate.

Years later, Johnson found himself celebrating on the football field, where the defensive tackle helped UMHB bring home the 2018 NCAA DIII National Championship title. He loved every second of playing football there and earning his massive NCAA Championship ring, but his time at UMHB gained him something he treasures far more.

On Sept. 30, 2022, he became much more than a warrior on the football field. He became a warrior for Christ.

Johnson realized he had been living a lie since his baptism as a child. He knew he simply had “gone through the motions” that day.

“I was so lost,” Johnson said, remembering the months leading up to that fateful day he committed his life to Christ.

He recalled his dilemma after graduating with his associate’s degree from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M University, where he played defensive tackle for two years.

Johnson wanted to continue his football career but decided going into the Air Force was a better decision financially. His brother-in-law laughed at the thought and said: “Isaiah, you’re not going to the Air Force. You’re going to go play football.”

He was torn and remembers getting on his knees and praying long hours that night for God to help him. God answered his prayer the next day when UMHB Coach Steven Thrash, a Northeastern alumnus, called Isaiah and told him if he came to Belton, he would win a national championship.

Taking a leap of faith, Johnson scraped together money for a plane ticket to Texas and hasn’t looked back since.

“From that point on, my journey restarted with Christ,” he said, but it took a lot of long nights before he figured this out. “I was so lost. I would find myself waking up in the middle of the night crying.”

As a starting defensive tackle for UMHB, Johnson became part of the team that brought home the 2018 national championship trophy.

One afternoon during his senior year at UMHB, strolling through campus, he passed 1974 alumnus Bobby Johnson, and the pair struck up a conversation.

“He sat me down and said: “Isaiah, you’ve done so much for UMHB. Now, let’s do something for you. What’s your relationship with Christ?’”

He followed up with a question: “Isaiah, if you were to die today, where would you go?”

“Then, he asked me if I’d like to give my life to Christ to ensure I’d go to heaven. He told me to go home, pray on it and talk to my family.”

Excited to share the conversation, Isaiah told his girlfriend, MaryAlice Hernandez, catering manager for Sodexo at UMHB.

On Sept. 30, 2022, Bobby Johnson invited Isaiah to talk with him and UMHB President Randy O’Rear and Steve Theodore, chief operating officer and senior vice president for administration. The trio led the senior student-athlete to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

“It changed me. It changed me to this day,” he said. “I am a warrior for Christ.”

A couple of weeks later, MaryAlice also gave her life to Christ. Bobby Johnson married the couple on May 27, 2023, and then baptized both on Nov. 12, 2023. Johnson still disciples Isaiah weekly, and the young family attends church every Sunday with their baby boy, Isaias Johnson.

The right reasons

When Shelbie Meyer was in the fifth or sixth grade, she watched several of her family members making the decision to get baptized, and she thought she needed to be baptized as well.

“I didn’t want to be the only one left out,” she said. So, she was baptized along with them. Meyer said she did all the “churchy” things she thought Christians were supposed to do, and when she got to college, one of the first things she did was set out to find a church.

However, from the first day she stepped onto campus, she noticed the atmosphere and people at UMHB were different.

“The world has a general, generic view of the way they think Christians should act, which I was used to, but the people at UMHB were different,” she said.

She loved going to chapel services and got involved in serving at her new church. After just a few months, she realized something had changed in her. She realized she hadn’t been saved that day at her church back home.

Meyer wanted to ask Jesus into her life and profess her love for him. But this time, she was sure she was doing it for the right reasons.

“I hit that point where I actually knew why I’m doing this,” said Meyer, who is now a junior in exercise and sport science. “And now my life is definitely better.”

Never alone again

Emily Crocker never again has to experience the feeling of being alone. Since she found Christ during her freshman year at UMHB, she now sees God in everything.

“He’s not just in the Bible. He’s everywhere. He’s in the people I’m around, and I feel his presence constantly,” she said.

There was a time when she didn’t.

“I was in such a dark place, and I just felt so alone,” Crocker said. “I didn’t really have very many friends, and the ones I did have drove me to get caught up in the drama. And that pushed me into being really anxious and depressed.

“I felt so alone. And when things would happen, I blamed God, like it was his fault.”

Crocker believed there was a God, but she didn’t grow up going to church regularly and didn’t know much about him. She’s thankful all of that changed after coming to UMHB, where she found God everywhere—in church, her classes and an on-campus revival.

She looks back now and can see how God laid out a plan for her to come to UMHB. It all started on the many trips she took with her parents from Cedar Park to Waco to visit her grandparents—passing the green highway sign on I-35 for the turnoff to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

One afternoon during her senior year, Emily’s mom, who had gone to Baylor University, announced they were going to stop for a visit to check out UMHB. Emily protested.

She knew nothing about this “little school in Belton” and wasn’t interested in stopping. But her mom insisted, and the second they arrived on campus, Emily liked what she saw.

“This is my school,” she announced. “This is where I’m supposed to be.”

When she arrived, she and her roommates went “church hopping,” and she soon landed at Vista Community Church, which she attended every Sunday.

She also fell in love with her Old Testament classes.

“All the stories were so interesting, and I wanted to learn more,” she realized. She and her roommates often met with UMHB Chaplain Jason Palmer to bombard him with their questions about Scripture and get suggestions on reading passages.

“It was overwhelming. I kept thinking: ‘Wow, this is amazing! Where has this been my entire life?’” she said. “It really opened my eyes to see the world completely differently.”

“After attending church regularly during her first semester and then experiencing UMHB Revival her second semester, she knew there was no going back.

“I thought it was so amazing. There was no way I could go back to how I was before. This is going to be how I’m living now. I have to have this relationship. It was just eye-opening to realize I’m not alone.”

Her moment of conviction came one morning while sitting in church when she finally realized everyone goes through hardships, but she didn’t have to be alone during hers. With tears pouring down her face, she knew she was “finally not alone.”

“I can grow from these hard times and be strong from this with the help of Christ,” she remembers thinking.

On a Sunday soon after, Palmer baptized Crocker during a morning service at her church.

She realized admitting she needed Christ in her life wasn’t something to be ashamed of and wanted to share her love for him with everyone.

Crocker, now a junior exercise and sport science major, is thankful her mom convinced her to detour off I-35 to check out the campus where she now has good friends and enjoys the activities and traditions, especially Easter Pageant which brings up overwhelming feelings about how she felt about God.

“I can never be in the Easter Pageant. … I’ve already been there where the crowd is yelling and cursing at Jesus and saying all these terrible things to him while he is on the cross. I’ve already said all of those things, and I can never go back and do that again.”

IRVING—To help meet needs within their own congregation, Barry Newman and Doug French of Oak View Baptist Church in Irving started a handyman ministry—Oak View for You, better known as OV4U—to help assist fellow members with basic home repairs and maintenance.

The ministry has helped members with 150 projects—everything from changing lightbulbs to trimming trees and shrubs, from moving cabinet shelves to adjusting sprinklers for winter, and from hanging bird feeders to setting up a new computer.

For senior adults and widows, the blessing of having their church family being just a phone call away provides a huge relief.

“Barry and Debbie Newman are life-long friends who we’ve known since high school,” French said.  “One evening in early 2022, we were discussing Oak View, where we’ve all been members for decades, and how we could address some of the needs we hear about around the church.

“It was actually our wives, Marty and Debbie, that suggested that their two able-bodied ‘Mr. Fix-It husbands’ should look into doing handyman jobs for widows or others in need.”

French was a deacon at Oak View Baptist Church from 1989 to 2007, when his career took him from Irving to Charleston, S.C.  When he retired in 2020, he and his wife returned to the Dallas-Fort Worth area and rejoined Oak View.

“I recalled the years prior, serving the church and the widows of our congregation. That dinner conversation with Barry and our wives struck a chord with both of us,” he said.

“We acknowledged that there are many needs out there, but many are not widows or widowers. There are single parents, homebound elderly couples, folks who don’t have the resources to call a professional every time they have a problem in their home or apartment. OV4U became that outlet for all of us to serve in the way our Lord would have us serve.

“The fact is that there are several men in our membership who have been doing these type of things for years, but what we learned is that a lot of our members don’t know who to call when they have a problem. Barry and I got excited about the possibilities and took the idea. What we conceived is a ministry that simplifies the process.”

‘A nice mix of talents and capabilities’

Since the repair ministry has been created, French noted that when a member has a need, they are encouraged to call the church office and explain about the repair work being requested and provide their contact information.

That’s when OV4U springs into action.

“That information is sent along to me as their primary contact, and we take it from there,” French said.  “The church doesn’t need to do anything or track progress to the request. We handle it all.”

French and Newman launched OV4U in March 2022 after promoting the idea among members of the church’s men’s group and life group classes.

“We were able to recruit about a dozen or so who have certain skills that can be called upon when needed,” French said. “Many of us are retired and have the time to invest, but many still work. It’s a nice mix of talents and capabilities.”

The group created T-shirts with their OV4U logo on it to help promote the ministry within their congregation.

“We are thrilled that the ministry has become so successful, but we are mostly inspired by all those who have benefitted from it,” French said. “It warms our hearts to hear and see the appreciation when we finish up a job.

“Of course, word of mouth takes over from there.  Not many Sunday mornings go by without someone approaching us to come take a look at something that needs to be fixed or replaced.  The church staff has been very supportive, and they help us promote the ministry by showing our logo periodically during worship announcements.”

French noted the diversity of jobs OV4U volunteers perform.

“Some are quick and easy like changing out light bulbs. We tell everyone we don’t want them getting up on ladders. And some repairs are a little more involved or require specific tools and skills,” he said.

“Since we’re just a bunch of old guys who help where we can, we don’t take on jobs that are too complex. We never intend to take the place of certified or bonded professional contractors. If we encounter a job request that is beyond our capabilities, we won’t take on that liability. We will politely refer them to someone who can do the work for them. Most of the jobs only require a few hours to complete.”

French noted the volunteers involved in the handyman ministry realize the great blessing and benefit of helping those within their congregation and refuse to accept any financial compensation for their work.

“We do this because it’s our ministry to others as God has called us to do,” French said.

Lessons learned

As this ministry desires to represent and reflect the church in action, French offers insight and advice for others considering similar ministries.

“Listen to your congregation,” French said. “Hear the needs that arise from time to time from those who truly need assistance. Identify those around the church who are willing and able to give of their time to perform simple tasks.

“Set up a process that is simple and effective to record and track each job in a timely manner. Make the commitment to finish the job and then stand by that commitment. Refuse any compensation for your time because it will likely be offered.  This is God’s work, and he gives us the resources to help.”

Volunteers with OV4U are just glad to help people in need, no matter how simple the task.

“It feels good to know that we are doing God’s work, even if it’s just in the form of hanging a picture for someone or replacing a ceiling fan,” French said.

“We have many stories of members who have spoken of their appreciation for the OV4U ministry, too numerous to really go through.  They all inspire us to keep doing what we’re doing.

“We’ve completed many jobs with a brief prayer time with the person we just helped. Sometimes, there are tears of thanks as well. Besides saving them some money, they feel loved and cared for, and that’s huge.”

Jaden Brisco to First Baptist Church of Olney as associate pastor of families with students.

Houston Christian University’s Linda Dunham School of Nursing recently joined forces with Memorial Hermann Southwest to host a summer camp for future health care leaders.  The educational initiative provides high school students with a behind-the-scenes look at careers in the health care field. High school students toured the hospital and had a chance to learn about a variety of health care roles, including respiratory therapy technicians, radiologists, cardiac catheterization laboratory technologists, sterile processing technicians, Life Flight pilots and more. Participants also learned about nontraditional health care roles, including hospital operations, engineering, materials management, chaplain services and security. “We hope that this camp helps students understand what it will take to achieve higher education goals, and to achieve their dreams of working in health care. We also hope to show them caring for patients can be their ministry and their way of showing Jesus’ love through their work and the things that they can accomplish as a health care professional,” said Blake Swanson, HCU simulation laboratory director and assistant professor.

Stark Seminary of Stark College & Seminary received associate membership in the Association of Theological Schools, considered the gold standard of theological accreditation. “This step recognizes our commitment to quality theological education and supports our mission to equip students with strong biblical knowledge and practical ministry skills. We’re grateful to our community for their role in this achievement and look forward to the opportunities it brings for Stark students and programs,” Stark posted on Facebook.

East Texas Baptist University and B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary announced their official merger, following approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The commission’s board of trustees approved ETBU’s substantive merger/level change prospectus, endorsing the integration of B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary into ETBU. With this approval, ETBU expands its status as a Level VI institution of higher learning with no further reporting required. The merger expands academic and support resources available to students of both institutions. B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary students will have access to enhanced financial aid options, additional scholarship opportunities and comprehensive student services provided by ETBU. The merger also positions ETBU as a doctoral degree-granting institution, furthering its commitment to academic excellence and advanced theological education. B.H. Carroll’s merger into ETBU will allow the seminary to have a larger role in the life of Texas Baptists, Southern Baptists and like-minded evangelical denominations while preserving a close relationship with supportive churches. It also will grow ETBU, a legacy Texas Baptist institution, adding master’s and doctoral degree programs accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary will retain its identity and stand as one of eight academic schools and divisions of ETBU.

Hardin-Simmons University was named 2023-24 American Southwest Conference Athletic Training Staff Department of the Year by the league’s head athletic trainers. The award recognizes league member staffs judged by their peers to provide a high level of service and professionalism to the student-athletes, their school and the conference. HSU athletic training staff is led by Landon Schumacher, director of athletic training services. Also on the HSU athletic training staff are trainers Sarah Nielsen, Bryanna Schuman and Shelbi Stevens.

Howard Payne University recently welcomed high school juniors and seniors for the second annual Health Science Enrichment Workshop. The two-day program was sponsored by the Joint Admission Medical Program and offered hands-on learning opportunities on the HPU campus and onsite at Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood. The students attending received instruction in basic suturing and stapling, basic EKG interpretation and resume development. Mock code simulation was a new session introduced this year, with training on life support, medication administration and defibrillation. Participants also had hands-on science labs with anatomy dissections. HPU’s School of Nursing and School of Science and Mathematics organized the event. Laci Sutton, dean of the School of Nursing and professor of nursing, and Kristen Hutchins, dean of the School of Science and Mathematics, were co-directors. In addition to the activities on HPU’s campus, participants had the opportunity to shadow health care professionals at Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood, giving them exposure to a variety of career paths.

The historical museum and archives of First Baptist Church of Wichita Falls will be open all day, every day, July 22-26. Dale Dodson, who serves on the church’s history ministry team as archivist and museum curator, started developing an interest in the church’s history about 16 years ago. As he began to look through the church records storage rooms, he saw a need for organization and documentation. Then about a dozen years ago, he realized the artifacts and documents might be interesting to others, and the idea of a museum was born. With the help of many others, he put together a museum and began to catalogue all records and artifacts, with a goal of properly preserving them. The museum has been open about 10 years, but it is not easily accessible. So, the history ministry team decided to hold an open house. First Baptist Church of Wichita Falls began in 1883 but didn’t have its own meeting place for about three years. During those years, the church primarily met in the homes of its eight charter members, one of whom was Susan James Parmer—a sister to Frank and Jesse James. Their father was a Baptist minister. More about the museum can be found here.

Retirement

Rodney Watson, effective June 30, after 40 years as pastor of Lytle South Baptist Church in Abilene and more than 42 years in the gospel ministry.

Minette Williams Drumwright Pratt, missions advocate and denominational servant, died June 15. She was 93. She was born Nov. 3, 1930, in Nixon to Tallie Williams and Minnie Musgrave Williams. Shortly thereafter, her family moved to San Antonio where her father was pastor of Northside Baptist Church until he retired. She earned an undergraduate degree in English from Baylor University in 1951. At Baylor, she met and fell in love with Huber L. Drumwright Jr., a young pastor and doctoral student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. They married shortly after her graduation. While he went on to become pastor of churches in Texas and Oklahoma, she led numerous missions action projects, Bible studies, Bible schools and Woman’s Missionary Union groups. The Drumwrights moved to Fort Worth in 1960 for Huber to become a professor of Greek and New Testament at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He later became dean of the School of Theology, and she took on the duties of a dean’s spouse while continuing many of her own pursuits.  Her passion for missions action flourished through a cutting-edge initiative, the Baptist Center at Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth. She designed and led programs for low-income women, battered women, orphans, unwed mothers and women prisoners. She was in great demand as a speaker and served on boards of the Woman’s Missionary Union, Home Mission Board (now North American Mission Board), Baptist General Convention of Texas, Seminary Woman’s Club, Woman’s Club of Fort Worth, Friends of the Fort Worth Library, Lena Pope Children’s Home, Edna Gladney Home and Dorcas House. She attended Southwestern Seminary and later served as president of the Southwestern Seminary Alumni. In 1978, she wrote a seminary extension study guide, Women in the Church. She received the Mrs. J.M. Dawson Award for outstanding contributions to the denomination from the Southern Baptist Convention Ministers’ Wives Conference in 1984. In 1980, the Drumwrights moved to Little Rock, Ark., where he served as executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Arkansas.  After 18 months, Huber died of a sudden heart attack when Minette was 50 years old.  Shortly thereafter, she was asked to join the leadership team of Keith Parks and Bill O’Brien at the Foreign Mission Board in Richmond, Va. She worked at the FMB 13 years and was the inaugural director of international prayer strategies, through which she designed programs to engage churches and individuals in prayer for foreign missions. She launched a prayer line relaying the latest prayer requests of missionaries, and she traveled the world to speak, teach, preach and lead programs on prayer in places such as Moldova, China and Africa.  As she stated, “Although some governments won’t let missionaries in, they can’t keep the effects of prayer out.” She wrote two books—The Life That Prays: Reflections on Prayer as a Strategy and When My Faith Feels Shallow: Pursuing the Depths of God—and a seminary extension study guide, Women in the Church. After retiring, she returned to Fort Worth. She served on the Baylor University board of regents from 1999 to 2008. She fell in love with William (Bill) Pratt, a retired Baptist pastor and psychologist, and they married in 2002. He was a devoted, loving partner to her through her long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease until his death in April of 2024. She is survived by two daughters, Minette (Meme) Drumwright and husband H.W. Perry Jr., and Debra Underwood and husband Max; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; two stepchildren—Martha Pratt Wainwright and husband Larry, and James Pratt and wife Dana; six step-grandchildren; and many step-great-grandchildren. The family requests that donations be made to Baylor University—Drumwright Family Lecture Fund (Honors College), William and Minette Pratt Scholarship Fund (Dianna R. Garland School of Social Work), Louise Herrington School of Nursing—or Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth.

Student athletes from East Texas Baptist University led sports camps, distributed food to families in need, built chicken coops and competed against a local team during a recent mission trip to Honduras. The trip is the 20th for the ETBU Athletic Department’s Tiger Athletic Mission Experience initiative and the second international mission for the men’s basketball team. Partnering with the International Sports Federation, the student-athletes had the opportunity to show Christ’s love through kindness and sportsmanship. Team members shared devotionals in smaller groups, using translators to bridge language gaps. The Tigers had the chance to serve at the Dump Ministry in partnership with Roatan Mission. Team members prepared and distributed food to local families, witnessing the challenging living conditions firsthand. This humbling experience highlighted the disparity between their own lives and those they were serving, fostering a deep sense of gratitude and compassion. “My mission trip experience to Roatan, Honduras, was life-changing,” ETBU graduate student Jayden Williams said. During the team’s visit to Roatan Rehabilitation, the team assisted with practical tasks, such as constructing chicken coops and moving sand, while sharing personal faith testimonies. The Tigers played the Honduran National Team twice during the trip. After falling short in the first matchup, the Tigers came away with a win. 

The Texas Board of Nursing confirmed Howard Payne University nursing program’s 2023 pass rate of 100 percent on the National Council Licensure Examination, or the NCLEX-RN, at its April 2024 board meeting. The test is a nationwide licensing exam for nurses and provides a measurement of nursing competence. HPU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is one of only six in Texas to achieve a 100-percent pass rate on the exam. The Texas Board of Nursing uses NCLEX-RN exam results in the evaluation process for each nursing program in Texas. The exam results are evaluated each calendar year and are officially published in April the following year. The HPU nursing program received full approval from the Texas Board of Nursing during the April 2024 board meeting. HPU’s BSN program has held national nursing accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education since 2020.

Anniversary

Arcadia Park Baptist Church in Dallas celebrates 100 years of ministry this year. Fred Foster is pastor.

Landon Breidenbach to First Baptist Church in Clyde as student pastor.

Ryan Jonse to First Baptist Church in Jefferson as student minister from First Baptist Church in Hallsville, where he was a youth associate.

Terry “Butch” Schneider to Harmony Baptist Church of Palestine as pastor, beginning June 16.

Erik Vance to Stark College & Seminary as professor of church history. He is pastor of Southside Community Church in Fort Worth.

Texas Baptists celebrated Legacy Day June 2 at Independence Baptist Church in Brenham—the oldest continually operating Baptist church in Texas, established in 1839. Julio Guarneri, Baptist General Convention of Texas executive director, presented Texas Baptists’ Legacy Award to Lee Baggett and Charles H. Whiteside. Baggett, a Vernon native, served in the Spanish-speaking mission of First Baptist Church in Vernon from 1957 to 1959 and later as a Baptist Student Union summer missionary to Juarez, Mexico. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Wayland Baptist College in 1964 and an M.D. degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Mexico. The Foreign Mission Board appointed him as a physician missionary to Mexico in 1974. Baggett served as the medical outreach coordinator of the Baptist Hospital in Guadalajara, Mexico, from 1974 to 2007. He continues to serve in Guadalajara as the president of “Manos Hermanas,” which seeks to provide resources to alleviate hunger, thirst, illness and poverty in Christ’s name. Whiteside was born and raised in the Grapevine-Coppell area. He earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Texas A&M University. After serving in the U.S. Army in Korea, he taught chemistry at Kilgore College and established an agricultural testing laboratory. Over the years, he contributed to the capital development of the Baptist Student Ministry at Kilgore College, was a recipient of the East Texas Baptist University W.T. Tardy Service Award for his support of the nursing education center and served on the BGCT Executive Board from 2002 to 2007. He also served the Texas Baptists Christian Life Commission with distinction as a strong supporter and promoter of the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering, and he served as an advisory member of the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation with a particular interest in hunger relief.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management honored Texans on Mission as the Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters member organization of the year. Texans on Mission, previously Texas Baptist Men, is the first organization to receive this recognition. Texans on Mission received the award during the Texas Emergency Management Conference, where about 4,000 first responders, local emergency managers, elected officials, and state and federal officials from 40 states and three countries were in attendance. Rubert Robbins, associate director of disaster relief, accepted the award on behalf of Texans on Mission. “It really is a testament to everyone involved with Texans on Mission,” he said. “We are known far and wide for being on mission with Jesus Christ in meeting the needs of people after disasters. This award shows that statewide leaders also recognize our commitment to providing services at the highest professional level.”

Samuel Still, a Doctor of Philosophy student at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom and a staff member at Dallas Baptist University, has received the T.B. Maston Foundation’s annual scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year. The Maston Foundation, chartered in 1986, perpetuates the teaching and legacy of its namesake, a renowned professor of Christian ethics and Baptist champion of racial justice in the 20th century. The foundation awards scholarships to graduate students majoring in Christian ethics, through which the Maston Foundation seeks to encourage ongoing leadership and scholarship in the field. It also attempts to challenge other Baptists to live out an authentic, Christlike ethic. Still anticipates receiving a Ph.D. degree in the summer of 2026. Still has been the assistant director of Dallas Baptist University’s Honors Program since 2022. He is an adjunct professor at DBU, where he has been a guest lecturer. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University in 2018 and a Master of Divinity degree from Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary in 2021. Still is a student member of the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion, the Society for the Study of Theology, the Conference of Christianity and Literature, and the Karl Barth Society of North America. He is a member of Valley Ranch Baptist Church in Coppell.

Baylor University’s Give Light comprehensive philanthropic campaign raised $1.5 billion, shattering its initial $1.1 billion goal and making Give Light the most successful comprehensive fundraising campaign in Baylor’s 179-year history. The university also reported $166 million in total fundraising for fiscal year 2024, which ended May 31, making it one of the top five highest fundraising years in Baylor’s history. All five of those top fundraising years have come during the Give Light campaign. “I am grateful for the more than 100,000 members of our Baylor community who have given generously through the Give Light campaign to help ensure Baylor University continues to have a distinct position and voice in higher education,” Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone said. “The world needs a Baylor—this unifying truth is resoundingly echoed through the generosity of our Baylor Family. Together, we have answered the call of support from this institution, and together we will continue to build this bright future so the world will see Christ through the impact of Baylor University.”

Dendrochronology is a big word, but so are some of the trees the science seeks to document and date, like the huge cuts of Douglas fir and mulberry trees currently displayed in “Timelines in Timber” at The Mabee, a collection of museums on Wayland Baptist University’s Plainview campus. Spring and summer intern Zachary Davis created the exhibit in fulfillment of his Master of Museum Science degree at Texas Tech University. Davis teamed up with Matthew Allen, professor of Biological Sciences in the Kenneth L. Mattox School of Mathematics and Sciences, to create the exhibit. Admission is free for “Timelines in Timber,” which is on display through Aug. 3. During the summer months, The Mabee is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Howard Payne University recently named Lonn Reisman as assistant to the president for special projects. He assumed the new role at the beginning of June. He will provide leadership in the areas of athletics, fundraising and campus development. Reisman previously served at Tarleton State University more than 30 years, including his most recent tenure as vice president for intercollegiate athletics. He also served as Tarleton State’s head men’s basketball coach from 1988 to 2018. During his time at Tarleton State, he successfully led the university through two NCAA reclassifications, first out of NAIA into NCAA Division II in 1994, and most recently into NCAA Division I and FCS Division I football. Reisman is the only documented athletic director in NCAA history to successfully lead one program through two such reclassifications. He is the longest-tenured Athletics Director in Tarleton State history and third-longest tenured athletic director across all of NCAA Division I. Reisman holds a Bachelor of Science in education from Pittsburg State University and a Master of Science in education from Arkansas State University.

The Air Force ranks include more than 61,000 officers. Only 108 of those have reached the rank of brigadier general. In December, Baylor graduate Randall Cason Jr. (BS ’95) joined that esteemed group—and he chose to return to his alma mater to mark the occasion. The son of an Army test pilot, Cason took an early interest in flying. As a mathematics major at Baylor University, he was a part of Baylor’s longstanding Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. In 1995, Cason accepted a commission to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon and later flew missions over Iraq. Amidst challenging circumstances after the first Gulf War, he distinguished himself and later became the first pilot in the Air Force Reserve to fly the F-22 in 2006, then recognized as the most technologically advanced fighter jet created. Cason went on to train future pilots and rose to the rank of colonel. When it came time to receive his promotion to brigadier general, he chose to hold the ceremony at Baylor’s Truett Theological Seminary, where his mother, Jan Cason, served many years as financial manager and continues to serve as adjunct faculty.

The examination pass rate for nursing school graduates from Houston Christian University’s Linda Dunham School of Nursing taking the nursing licensure exam exceeded the national average for Texas nursing programs according to results recently published by the Texas Board of Nursing. In 2023, the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses exam pass rate for HCU nursing school candidates who took the exam for the first time was 97.92 percent, compared to an average of 91.15 percent for Texas nursing programs and a national average of 88.56 percent.The exam uses a computerized adaptive testing technology to measure the foundational knowledge and skills needed for safe nursing practices for entry-level nurses. Carol Lavender, dean of the Linda Dunham School of Nursing, credited nursing school faculty and their passion for student success for the high pass rate, as well as adjustments to the school’s curriculum and improvements to lab space.

Houston Theological Seminary at Houston Christian University will offer a class on the Old Testament to anyone in the community who wants to improve biblical understanding. The essentials course is designed for busy people who want to go deeper in understanding the Bible and theology for the sake of ministry. The class will begin in the fall 2024 semester and will be held on Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. from September 9 through November 18 via Zoom or in-person at Heights Church in Houston. Paul Sloan, associate professor at Houston Christian University, will teach the course. Participants who complete all the essentials courses can qualify to receive three hours of graduate credit. The next planned courses in the essentials series will be New Testament, Christian doctrine and church history. Each class costs $380, which includes two meals at the kickoff and final celebration. Early bird price is $360, before Sept. 1. For more information, email Celeste Risteski at [email protected].

Wayland Baptist University at San Antonio expects to confer 119 degrees during its 84th commencement ceremony June 14 at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio. D. Glenn Simmons, executive director and dean of the San Antonio campus, will present the candidates for degrees to David Bishop, vice president for external campuses, who will confer degrees. He will be assisted by Linda Flores, assistant dean for the San Antonio campus. Bexar County Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Calvert will deliver the commencement address. Michael Hart, pastor of Spirit Filled Family Church, will give the invocation. Candidates for graduation include three students scheduled to receive doctoral degrees, 42 students set to receive master’s degrees, 65 students to receive bachelor’s degrees, and nine to receive associate’s degrees. “Half of the students set to walk across the stage to get their diplomas are age 40 or older,” said Simmons. “They juggled work, family, church, social events, and school. They did not do this alone. Through the help of spouses, family, friends, and coworkers, they refused to yield to the demands and surged ahead. These are our academic heroes, and, at graduation, we honor their diligence, patience, and tenacity.” Livestream coverage of the commencement ceremony is available at https://livestream.com/tbcspecialevents/waylandbaptistgraduation.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor announced 516 students have been listed on the Spring 2024 Provost’s Honor Roll. To receive this recognition, a student must achieve a 3.85 grade point average or better on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, 505 students were named to the Dean’s Honor Roll for Spring 2024. To receive this recognition, a student must achieve a 3.5 to 3.849 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. To see a complete list of honor roll recipients, visit www.umhb.edu/news.

Ordinations

Collin Pittman and Hayden Swearingen were ordained to the ministry June 2 by Golinda Baptist Church. New pastor Scott Rhodes and outgoing interim pastor Bruce Crawford welcomed them to the ministry.

DALLAS (BP)—In a statement posted on the Oak Cliff Bible Church website, Senior Pastor Tony Evans announced he has stepped away from his staff role at the church due to falling “short of the high standards of scripture.”

Leaders of the Dallas church stated the “difficult decision” was made with tremendous prayer and after multiple meetings with Evans and church elders.

“The elder board is obligated to govern the church in accordance with the scriptures,” said a statement on the church’s website. “Dr. Evans and the elders agree that when any elder or pastor falls short of the high standards of scripture, the elders are responsible for providing accountability and maintaining integrity in the church.”

Evans, who has served at the church for 48 years, wrote a letter to members stating the reason for the decision happened “a number of years ago.”

“While I have committed no crime, I did not use righteous judgment in my actions,” he wrote. “In light of this, I am stepping away from my pastoral duties and am submitting to a healing and restoration process established by the elders. This will afford me a needed time of spiritual recovery and healing.

“The foundation of our ministry has always been our commitment to the Word of God as the absolute supreme standard of truth to which we are to conform our lives. When we fall short of that standard due to sin, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with God. A number of years ago, I fell short of that standard.

“I am, therefore, required to apply the same biblical standard of repentance and restoration to myself that I have applied to others. I have shared this with my wife, my children, and our church elders, and they have lovingly placed their arms of grace around me.”

Further details related to the case were not released. Evans says he intends to continue to worship at Oak Cliff during the process.

“I have never loved you more than I love you right now, and I’m trusting God to walk me through this valley. Thank you for your love, prayers, support, and forgiveness as I continue my spiritual healing journey,” Evans said. “As we walk this journey together, keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”

Several Baptists are among the evangelical Christian leaders urging clemency for Texas Death Row prisoner Ramiro Gonzales, who is scheduled to be executed June 26.

They include Jesse Rincones, executive director of the Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas; Stephen Reeves, executive director of Fellowship Southwest; Paul Basden, co-senior pastor of Preston Trail Community Church in Frisco; and Fisher Humphreys, professor of divinity emeritus at Samford University.

Gonzales was sentenced to death in 2006 for the 2001 kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of Bridget Townsend in Medina County when they both were 18 years old.

Dr. Edward Gripon, a forensic psychiatrist, testified at the time of his sentencing that Gonzales presented a future danger. However, Gripon later recanted and called for the sentence to be changed to life without parole.

In a June 3 letter to Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, 11 evangelical Christians quote Gripon’s evaluation of Gonzales as “a significantly different person both mentally and emotionally.”

‘A wonderfully changed man’

Those who signed the letter insist Gonzales also is a different person spiritually after coming to faith in Christ. In January, he was selected as a peer coordinator and mentor for a faith-based pod in the Allan B. Polunsky Unit near Livingston.

“Ramiro has changed. Because he has changed, we believe the circumstances surrounding him should change as well,” they state, urging the governor and board to “spare the life of another Christian.”

The letter quotes Gonzales as speaking now of: “Love, mercy, grace, forgiveness. All these are acts of God. That’s what’s been so instrumental to my life.”

Gonzales’ spiritual advisers describe his ability to “connect with others and move them in love,” the letter states.

The faith leaders also quote correctional officers on Texas Death Row, who described Gonzales as “sensitive,” “never problematic” and someone they “feel safe around.”

“Our prayers are with the family of Bridget Townsend, and we still hold that the answer to violence is not further violence. The cycle of violence can end here,” the letter states.

“Again, we ask that you grant clemency to Ramiro, a wonderfully changed man, and allow him to live out his life serving others.”

‘Working to better the lives of those around him’

In a petition for clemency submitted June 5, his attorneys argue Gonzales at the time he committed his crimes was “gripped by a serious addiction rooted in his exposure to drugs while still in the womb, compounded by the trauma and neglect that marked his childhood.”

In the petition, Gonzales is described in the intervening year as having “devoted himself to self-improvement, contemplation, and prayer, and with God’s hand on his shoulder has grown into a mature and peaceful adult.”

“With an understanding that his life on death row was part of God’s plan for him, Ramiro does not allow himself to be defined buy his past sins, but rather has dedicated himself to following a righteous path and working to better the lives of those around him,” the petition states.

The petition notes Gonzales feels a deep calling to minister to other men on Texas Death Row, urging them to reject violence and follow Christ.

“Despite the substantial harm his violent choices have caused, Ramiro is a living example of how one can become a good and moral person through an ongoing relationship with Christ,” the petition states.

It has been a spring to remember—traumatic memories for disaster survivors.

Texans on Mission wrapped up responses to wildfires in the Panhandle March 28. On April 10, a string of springtime storms began striking across the state.

“We have responded to 11 declared disasters already this year,” said Rupert Robbins, associate director of disaster relief with Texans on Mission. “In all of last year, we responded to 20. The year before, it was a total of 14.”

After that comment, another storm struck Tyler and other communities in East Texas. Robbins said Texans on Mission is still evaluating the needs related to that most recent event.

“We typically only stand up an incident management team when we pull in teams from other parts of the state to coordinate multiple teams,” Robbins said. In May, Texans on Mission had four incident management team units deployed simultaneously, he added.

While spring always is a busy time for storms, it is unusual to have multiple large deployments at the same time, he noted.

“It has been a significant challenge for our volunteers, but they have responded with the highest possible level of commitment, stamina and persistence,” Robbins said. “It is just inspiring to watch the gratification these men and women enjoy as they work so diligently.

“Their work is often both physical and spiritual. When physical destruction is everywhere, it’s still the people we encounter who are our top priority. We try to be Jesus to them in both word and deed.”

Texans on Mission spring deployments at this point include:

• April 10—Tornado and flooding in Port Arthur and Kirbyville.
• May 2—Widespread flooding along the Trinity, East San Jacinto and West San Jacinto rivers.
• May 2—Rising Star tornado and flooding in West Texas, including the Hawley area.
• May 9—Tornado in San Marcos and Canyon Lake area and neighboring communities.
• May 16—Straight-line winds at Category 3 hurricane strength in northwest Houston.
• May 22—Extensive tornado damage in Temple.
• May 25—Tornado tore through Valley View, north of Dallas.
• May 28—Significant straight-line winds affected a large portion of Dallas, Kaufman, Rockwall and Tarrant counties.
• May 28—Tornado tore through Levelland.

“Just reviewing this list may leave the impression this was just nine responses,” Robbins said. “But most of these storms and floods left damage across wide areas, sometimes stretching hundreds of square miles.

“We have deployed hundreds of volunteers into the affected areas. We have had out-of-state disaster relief units who have and are planning to come assist us.”