Texas Tidbits_102003

Posted: 10/17/03

Texas Tidbits

ETBU holds spiritual emphasis. East Texas Baptist University recently held its Spiritual Emphasis Week, with guest speaker Neil McClendon, a vocational evangelist and ETBU graduate. "Christianity is not what you do; it is who you are made into," he said in one of the five services. Worship music was led by Ross King of Bryan.

HSU to honor three at homecoming. Three graduates of Hardin-Simmons University will be honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards Oct. 24 during homecoming activities. They are Fran Osborne Adkins, a veteran television personality for Big Country audiences over KTAB-TV; Lt. Col. (retired) Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch of San Antonio, a 20-year U.S. Army veteran who was the first woman to be commissioned as an officer through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at HSU; and Dan Yeary, who has been pastor since 1993 of North Phoenix Baptist Church in Phoenix.

HSU honors Lacewells. Robert Lacewell and Martha Nollner Lacewell of Abilene will receive the Keeter Alumni Service Award Oct. 25, the highest alumni honor granted by the university. The couple are active supporters of HSU's School of Music and the physical therapy department. He has served on the HSU board of trustees since 1996 and currently chairs the School of Music Foundation. She served five years as music foundation secretary and currently is chaplain for the alumni association. The Lacewells have been significant donors to the university, creating several scholarships, building projects, academic chairs and awards. They are members of First Baptist Church of Abilene.

Musical groups to tour campuses. Jars of Clay and Caedmon's Call are coming to Texas on what promoters are calling "The Thinking Man's Pop Tour." The tour targets 30 college markets, including four in Texas and one in Oklahoma. Texas and Oklahoma dates and locations include Oct. 30, Fellowship Church of Grapevine; Dec. 3, Baylor University in Waco; Dec. 4, Austin Music Hall, Austin; Dec. 5, Lloyd Noble Center, University of Oklahoma; Dec. 6, Loba Center, Longview.

Youth Leadership Summit planned. The second annual Youth Leadership Summit, planned for youth and young adults who have been called into the ministry, will be held at Hispanic Baptist Theological School in San Antonio Nov. 21-22. More than 150 people attended last year, and 250 are expected this year. Both Spanish and English tracks will be offered. Scholarships are available for the first 150 youth to register. The event is sponsored by HBTS and the Center for Strategic Evangelism/Ethnic Evangelism of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. For more information, contact rayala@hbts.edu, www.hbts.edu or call (210) 924-4338.

Jon Campbell

DBU names general counsel. Jon Campbell has been named general counsel for Dallas Baptist University. He moves from the law firm Chamblee & Ryan, where he worked as a litigation attorney. The Dallas native earned bachelor of arts degree from Baylor University and master of theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. He holds a law degree from Texas Tech School of Law. He currently heads the Christian Legal Society's Dallas chapter. He and his family are active members of The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson.

Pastor writes on Halloween. Ken Lovelace, pastor of Grand View Baptist Church in Mesquite, has written a brochure explaining his faith-based opposition to observing Halloween. The six-page brochure traces the history of the holiday and draws on biblical references to warn of dangers associated with Halloween. Lovelace also provides suggestions for alternative celebrations and observances. Copies of the brochure are available from Lovelace by calling (972) 681-2284 or writing to the church at 1401 US Highway 67, Mesquite 75150. The church's website is www.GVBConline.com.

HBU gives four Spirit of Excellence honors. Houston Baptist University presented its Spirit of Excellence Award Sept. 23 to Sen. Lloyd Bentsen Jr., Jake Kamin, Don McMillian and Stuart Morris. Karen Hughes, adviser to President George W. Bush, was featured speaker for the annual gala dinner that raised $450,000 for renovation of the Glasscock Center and Mabee Theater on the HBU campus.

HBU honors alumni, faculty and staff. Houston Baptist University named two recipients of its Milton Cross Award this fall, Linda Higginbotham and Allene Lucas. The university's Distinguished Alumnus Awards were given to Cliff McGee, a pediatric psychiatrist with the Mental Health and Retardation Authority of Harris County, and Manfred Jachmich, Houston restaurateur and owner of Morgan's on Montrose. Meritorious Service Alumni Awards were given to Vivian Camacho of the HBU staff and Candace Desrosiers, a public school teacher in the Houston area. The Opal Goolsby Outstanding Teaching Award was given to Brenda Whaley, associate professor of biology; Randy Wilson, associate professor of sociology; Melissa Wiseman, assistant professor of economics; and Christopher Hammons, associate professor of political science. Recipients of the Mayfield Outstanding Staff Award were Cynthia Young, assistant vice president for institutional research; Hugh McClung, assistant vice president for treasury operations; Mary Purcell, retired director of development; and Charles Miller, HBU police officer.

Youth ministers and pastors invited to HBU. Houston Baptist University plans a ministerial convocation and luncheon for youth ministers and pastors Oct. 23 at 10 a.m. Bruce Wilkinson, author of "The Prayer of Jabez," will be the featured speaker. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Sarah Bible at (281) 649-3329 or sbible@hbu.edu.

UMHB plans missions emphasis. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's Missions Emphasis Week is scheduled for Oct. 27-31. Guests include Mike Cahill of Wycliffe Bible Translators, Ghana; Gayla Vardeman Corley of the International Mission Board, Zimbabwe; Ralph Dawson of Mission Aviation Fellowship, Indonesia; James and Robbi Francovich of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, India and Latin America; Stan and Kirsten Granberry of CBF, France; Norman and Gunita Harrell of IMB, Portugal; Jane Masters of IMB, China; Walter Mickels of the North American Mission Board; Dave Mutchler of Wycliffe Bible Translators, Papua New Guinea and Guatemala; Ralph and Judy Reed of Wycliffe Bible Translators, Mexico; Kathryn Riley of IMB, Singapore; Darrel Seals of IMB, Philippines; Tricia Stringer of IMB, Benin, West Africa. These missionaries will speak in classrooms and in chapel services. For more information, contact Shawn Shannon at (254) 295-4234.

DBU to honor Weirs. Dallas Baptist University will honor the Weir family, owners of Weir's Furniture Village in Dallas, at the 16th annual Russell Perry Free Enterprise Award Dinner Oct. 20. The dinner is hosted by DBU in conjunction with the Russell Perry Free Enterprise Committee and co-sponsored by the Dallas Morning News. Proceeds from the dinner provide scholarships for DBU students. Ray and Bea Weir founded their company in 1948. Their son, Dan Weir, served as president of the company from September 1992 through June 2003. Their daughter, Patsy Weir Moore, began working at the store in 1974. Dan Weir's wife, Martha, began working for Weir's in 1978. Members of the third generation now hold positions of leadership and oversee the day-to-day operations of the business. Mark Moore, son of Patsy Weir Moore, has served at Weir's 19 years, and in July 2003 became the third president. United States Sen. John Cornyn will provide the keynote address at this year's banquet.