Around the State_111003

Posted: 11/07/03

Around the State

Bethlehem Church in Farmersville was a finalist in the preaching category in the Charles Haddon Spurgeon Outstanding Church Awards from the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth of Southern Seminary. The church's average attendance in 1998 was two, but it currently averages 441 in attendance. Billy Harris is pastor.

Chaplains receiving endorsement in October from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship include Richard Atkinson Jr. of LaGrange, Rodney Bolejack of Temple, Jeffrey Cantrell of Austin, John Mark Ritchey of Lexington and Gwyen Driskill-Dunn of Fort Worth.

Gary and Donna Cain

Appointments

Gary and Donna Cain of Austin have been appointed missionaries by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. They will serve in Eastern Africa, where he will work in community outreach and ministry development. He formerly was dean of students and director of athletics at East Texas Baptist University, while she worked there as director of men's dormitories. They are members of Great Hills Church in Austin and have two adult children.

Deaths

Henard East, 90, Oct. 7 in Arlington. He was pastor of First Church in Arlington 25 years, then assistant to Pastor Charles Wade prior to his retirement as pastor emeritus. In total, he served the church more than 53 years. Among the churches started under his leadership were Fielder Road, Lamar, Northside, Meadow Lane, Mayfield Road, Parkview, Highland, Hillcrest, Woodland West and University, all in Arlington. He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Laura, and his brother, Bernard. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Wynon; daughters, Ann Morris and Donna Hill; son, Stephen; step-children, Marsha Stirrat and Mark Gillham; sister, Virginia Nollner; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and seven step-great-grandchildren.

E.K. Bailey, 57, Oct. 22 in Dallas. His death followed a long bout with cancer. He was founder and senior pastor of Concord Missionary Church in Dallas. He was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Sheila; daughters, Cokiesha and Shenikwa Bailey; son, Emon; sisters, Vivian Flakes, Shirley Cockrell, Bonnie Kerl, Vicky Campbell; and brother, James Martin.

Clares Johnson and Jennifer Hardin want to make sure no one goes without food. The girls' quest to feed the hungry expanded when members of their church, Orchard Road in Lewisville, began filling their container. A local organization distributes the food.

King Sanders, 54, Oct. 30 in Washington, D.C. A Texas native, he most recently worked as director of constituent relations for the Ethics & Religous Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, but he had been hospitalized since March. Prior to his five years with the ERLC, he served eight years as legislative liason for the Baptist Convention of New Mexico while a pastor in Santa Fe. He also was director of missions for Santa Fe Association prior to starting Rodeo Road Church. He also served churches in Baytown and Colleyville. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Rose; daughter, Courtney Sanders; and son, Michael.

Polly Mercer, 71, Nov. 2 in Highland Village. She began working at Buckner Benevolences in 1966 and retired from there in 1997. One year later, she was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. She was a member of Brookhaven Church in Farmers Branch. She was preceded in death by her husband and son, both named William. She is survived by her daughter, Patti Kriss; sister, Laverne Henry; and brother, Paul Mooney.

Anniversaries

Price Mathieson, 25th as pastor of First Church in Lawn Oct. 26.

Brad Crosswhite, fifth as pastor of Lamar Point Church in Paris Nov. 8.

Events

Great Hills Church in Austin will present “A Christmas Snow” Dec. 12-15. Tickets are $10. For more information, call (512) 343-0243. Michael Lewis is pastor.

Ordained

Johnny King and Richard Schuck as deacons at Parkway Church in Bronson Nov. 2.

Revivals

Hebron Church, Bells; Nov. 9-14; evangelist, James Seigler; pastor, Houston Garner.

First Church, Vernon; Nov. 16-19; evangelist, Mike McKinney; music, Larry Russell; pastor, Derrell Monday.