Texas Tidbits_72604

Posted: 7/23/04

Texas Tidbits

Christianity Today lauds Garland. A new commentary on 1 Corinthians by David Garland, associate dean and professor of Christian Scriptures at Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary, received an award of merit in the Christianity Today Book Awards 2004. The awards honor 22 books that "bring understanding to people, events and ideas that shape evangelical life, thought and mission." This year, the contest selected from 349 entries.

U.S. News picks Baylor, Baptist St. Anthony's. Two hospitals with ties to the Baptist General Convention of Texas have been ranked in U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Hospitals" guide for 2004. Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas made the guide for the 12th consecutive year. Baylor Dallas is ranked among the nation's top 50 hospitals in 10 specialties: cancer, 48; digestive disorders, 18; ear, nose and throat, 41; gynecology, 35; heart and heart surgery, 30; hormonal disorders, 46; kidney disease, 44; neurology and neurosurgery, 30; orthopedics, 26; and urology, 47. Baylor's Institute for Rehabilitation ranked among the nations top 26 rehabilitation facilities. Baptist St. Anthony's Health System in Amarillo made the list for cancer, 43; geriatrics, 50; neurology and neurosurgery, 27; and respiratory disorders, 44.

Missions awards nominations needed. Nominations for the Texas Baptist Missions Foundations's mission service awards are due Aug. 9. The Pioneer Award goes to a longtime leader in missions or someone who played a key role in beginning mission work that impacted Texas Baptist life. The Innovator Award is bestowed upon a church or individual who provided a model for missions others can adopt. The Adventurer Award honors an individual who advanced missions through direction of significant mission activities, outstanding financial support or leadership in ministry opportunities. Nominations may be submitted in writing to Bill Arnold at Texas Baptist Missions Foundation, 333 N. Washington, Dallas 75246.

Bible museum opens Saturdays. The Bible in America Museum on the campus of Houston Baptist University is expanding its hours. In addition to its regular openings on Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Thursdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., it will be open the first Saturday of every month, beginning in August. The museum houses one of the largest collections of rare American Bibles on public display, including first editions of the earliest Bibles printed in America. For more information, call (281) 649-3287 or e-mail deverance@hbu.edu.

Valley Baptist buys Brownsville hospital. Harlingen-based Valley Baptist Health System has purchased Brownsville Medical Center in Brownsville from Tenet Healthcare Corporation. "This acquisition will greatly enhance our ability to serve the residents of Brownsville and will be crucial to the future of healthcare in the Rio Grande Valley," said Jim Springfield, president of Valley Baptist.

Church conference set in Valley. The Valley Church Health & Growth Conference is set for Aug. 7 at Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen. Registration is $10 for pastors and $15 for other participants. Seminars designed to meet the needs of area churches will be held in Spanish and English. For more information, contact Frank Palos atpalos@bgct.org or (877) 217-7649.

HPU launches $4.5 million program. Howard Payne University recently launched its most ambitious student housing program in more than 40 years. HPU will renovate two residence facilities, Taylor Hall and Veda Hodge Hall, and build two apartment buildings with a laundry facility. Jennings Hall, the school's newest residence hall, will undergo minor changes. University President Lanny Hall said, "The student housing initiatives are a part of a larger program of campus improvements totaling $4.5 million in construction, renovation, furnishings and equipment costs." The program is funded by a tax-exempt bond issue, which was approved earlier this year by the HPU board of trustees.

McClinton assists Wade. Myla McClinton has been named executive assistant to Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Director Charles Wade. For the past four years, McClinton has been ministry assistant to Janice Coley, Wade's executive assistant until her June 30 retirement. "Janice served our Baptist cause 12 years in various assignments, the most recent being the last four years as my executive assistant," Wade said. "She has done so with distinction and great care and sensitivity. One of the best things Janice did was to ask Myla McClinton to work with her. Now Myla is ready to assume the responsibility." McClinton is a member of The Oaks Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, where her husband, Dan, is associate pastor/minister of music. They have two sons and three grandchildren.

Glass Scholarship established at DBU. An endowed scholarship has been established at Dallas Baptist University from the estate of Pat and Charlie Vera Glass, longtime supporters of the university and members of Highland Baptist Church in Dallas. "The Glasses were strong supporters of DBU's mission to provide Christian education, and through this gift they will be able to continue their support by helping many needy students in the years to come," said John Clem, DBU development director.

Epicenter replaces Evangelism Conference. Author Dallas Willard will be a featured speaker and conference leader at Epicenter, a Baptist General Convention of Texas-sponsored evangelism, discipleship and missions event designed to meet the needs of 21st century church leaders. The event, which replaces the longstanding Texas Evangelism Conference, will be held Jan. 28-29 at the Sheraton Grande Hotel near the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Willard, professor in the school of philosophy at the University of Southern California, wrote "Divine Conspiracy" and "Renovation of the Heart," each chosen as a Christianity Today book of the year. Also on the schedule is Darrell Guder, professor at Princeton Theological Seminary; Carol Davis, who served 25 years on the staff of the church now known as Mosaic in Los Angeles; and Jeff Harris, pastor of Grace Point Church in San Antonio. Each featured speaker will lead a lecture-style session and a conversational seminar. Seating will be limited to 800 participants. For more information, call (214) 828-5118 or visit www.bgct.org/evangelism.

ETBU partners with Wiley College to promote health. East Texas Baptist University and Wiley College recently received a $90,000 three-year grant to promote healthy lifestyle choices in the Marshall area. The grant was awarded by the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service under its Learn and Serve America Higher Education Program. The grant will support the involvement of teams of student nurses from ETBU with Wiley College students to conduct health fairs at churches and other locations; provide free blood-pressure, blood-sugar, cholesterol, and mammogram screenings; conduct a campus-based Seniors Wellness Connection program in which senior citizens will be taught how to use the Internet to locate the best health information; fight obesity through a "Hip Hop, Rock Your Heart" walking campaign; and launch a new "Be Fit" weekly health focus radio talk show that will draw on the expertise of doctors and other health professionals throughout the community.

Corpus Christi school changes its name. Baptist Learning Center of South Texas trustees have voted to change the institution's name to South Texas School of Christian Studies. President Linn Self said the trustees were concerned the term "learning center" led people to believe the school was a kindergarten or day care facility. Trustees also wanted to make it clear the university and seminary programs at the school are open to students from all denominations. South Texas School of Christian Studies serves as a satellite campus for Howard Payne University and Hardin-Simmons University's Logsdon School of Theology. .