Around the State_120604

Posted: 12/03/04

Around the State

Four bivocational pastors and their wives were honored during the 18th annual Bivocational Ministers and Spouses Conference. Carlton and Dianna Bailey of Mount Calvary Church of Marysee in Hull were selected as 2004 Exemplary Bivocational Pastor and Wife. Kevin Shipp of Avondale Church in Sweetwater is was named 2004 Exemplary Bivocation Minister of Music. He also is the church's education and children's minister. Two couples were honored for their youth ministry efforts. Sammy and Japana Roberts of Arlington Christian Bible Fellowship in Arlington, and Benji and Kathy Cole of Lone Willow Church in Cleburne were both named 2004 Exemplary Bivocational Youth Ministers.

Jack Longbotham, retired professor of education at Hardin-Simmons University, and this wife, Elizabeth, have completed a children's book, “The Adventures of Buffalo Bill and Cody.” The volume completes a triology of children's books which seek to foster an appreciation for the buffalo. The Longbothams have buffalo on their ranch. The book is bound in HSU colors and is available in the university bookstore.

Converse Hispanic Church in Converse recently incorporated as a bilingual congregation thanks to Trinity Church in San Antonio. The San Antonio congregation had sponsored the Hispanic mission 20 years, and gifted them the land and facilities there so that church could become a self-supporting body without incurring significant debt. Trinity Pastor Charlie Johnson (left) signed over the deed of trust to Converse Pastor Jesse Aguilar. The congregation also honored retired pastor Jimmy Garcia, founding pastor of the mission.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor newspaper, The Bells, and the yearbook, The Bluebonnet, received national recognition at the Baptist Press Excellence in Journalism conference held in Nashville, Tenn. The Bells won first place overall in its division, and the Bluebonnet received third place overall in the yearbook category. Individual newspaper awards went to Natalie Kaspar, first for in-depth writing, second for column writing and third for front page design; Leslie Helms, first for infographics and second for photo spread; Amanda Dickinson, second for feature writing; and a group of four reporters, third for in-depth writing. Winners of individual yearbook awards were Christi Snow, first for student life copy; Sara Hillis, first and second for portrait spread design; Tiffany Turk, first for creative/artistic photo, second for sports/club design and third for photo spread; and Jacob Sais, third for personality spread.

Robert Ellison, professor of English at East Texas Baptist University, has contributed a chapter to the book “John Keble in Context.” The chapter is part of Ellison's research in Anglican preaching during the 19th century.

Loretta Starkey has joined the Hardin-Simmons University staff as coordinator of alumni services. She replaces Shelly Dotson, who has moved to enrollment services as a counselor for new student relations/financial aid.

Angelique Myers of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has been named one of two national recipients of the Public Relations Society of America Multicultural Affairs Scholarship. Each student will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Myers is a reporter for the campus newspaper and also is a mid-day personality on a local radio station. The scholarship was awarded at the society's annual conference held in New York City.

Hardin-Simmons University's annual All School Sing was dedicated to the school's director of financial aid, Jim Jones and his wife, Nancy. They are members of First Church in Abilene.

Jud Powell has been elected chairman of the Hardin-Simmons Board of Trustees. He and his wife, Linda, were recipients of the John J. Keeter Jr. Alumni Service Award in 2001. He is a member of First Church in Abilene. Other officers are Clinton Wolf, vice chairman; Norma Schaffer, secretary; and George Gaston, vice chair and assistant secretary.

Anniversaries

Gordon Hightower, 20th, as pastor of First Church in Canyon Lake, Nov. 14. The congregation presented him with an inscribed silver bowl and a pocket watch, as well as a three-week sabbatical to be taken any time during 2005 and a $2,000 love offering.

Benito Cardenas, fifth, as pastor of Iglesia Calvario at Living Rock in Robstown, Dec. 1.

Paul Brand, fifth, as minister of youth and education at First Church in Whitewright, Dec. 5.

Deaths

Charles Phipps, 76, Oct. 21 in Houston. He was pastor of churches in Texas and California more than 50 years, including two years as an Army chaplain in Germany. He was a member of South Main Church in Pasadena. He was preceded in death by sons James and Don. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Norma Jeanne; daughter, Ann Manning; and six grandchildren.

Country Church in Mesquite capitalized on the Mary Hill Davis Offering theme of “Plant, Water, Harvest” by having trees that “grew” after being watered by change offerings each week. Not only did the trees grow in height, but they also grew an “apple” for every $25 given. Here, the first and last tree are shown. The church surpassed its $500 goal, with an offering of $850.

Gene Thompson, 79, Nov. 13 in Denton. Thompson ran the Baptist Center at Broadway Church in Fort Worth almost 40 years. When he retired in 2001, the center was renamed the Gene Thompson Baptist Center to honor his dedication to social work programs. Thompson was a pastor of several North Texas churches during seminary training but then returned to his native Illinois to pursue a master's degree in social work. He returned to Texas in 1963 as associate pastor at Broadway Church. While maintaining his work at the Baptist Center, in the 1980s, he began focusing more on pastoral care–visiting the sick and officiating at funerals. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary; sister, Lora Fay Johnson; daughter, Ann; sons Phil and Todd; and several grandchildren.

Eddie Dwyer, 92, Nov. 16 in Waco. He was a professor of religion at Baylor University 37 years. His life changed when he became a Christian while attending a revival at age 16. The following night, his father became a Christian, and they attended Bible lessons together. He was student body president at Oklahoma Baptist University. Prior to coming to Baylor, he led a mission on the Osage Indian Reservation in Oklahoma. His time at Baylor included a tenure as the acting chairman of the religion department. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Velma; son, Paul; daughter, Dee Dee Rich; and three grandchildren.

Gilbert Gonzalez, 63, Nov. 17 in Corpus Christi. He served five Texas churches as minister of education and was a migrant missionary in Tennessee. He was ordained to the ministry in 1988 at Woodlawn Hills Church in San Antonio. He was director of the Christian Family Center in Corpus Christi from 1992 until his retirement in 2002. He was a member of Primera Iglesia in Corpus Christi. He is survived by his wife, Pauline; daughter, Diana De La Portilla; son, Henry; mother, Maria; brother, George; and five grandchildren.

Licensed

Timothy Groves to the ministry at Pleasant Grove Church in Dallas.

Gary Anderson to the ministry at Trinity Church in Kerrville.

Ordained

Timothy Overton to the ministry at South Avenue Church in Pasadena.

Jason Bannister, Dwight Bennett, Dell Canright, Terry Evans, Leonard Loughner, David Smith, Rusty Watkins and John Williams as deacons at South Oaks Church in Arlington.

Jesse Blankenship, Ron Colburn, Barbara Gunnin, Joel Hill and Douglas Washington as deacons at Royal Lane Church in Dallas.